The Emir of Yauri, Dr Muhammad Zayyanu Abdullahi, has said sediments make River Niger that has not been dredged in 50 years shallow leading to flooding in his domain.
He said underwater deposits such as of sands, trees and rocks in River Niger exposed Yauri Town and other riverine communities to a yearly disaster of flooding.
The monarch made this known in a statement on Friday when the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) distributed Life Jackets to boat operators in Yauri, the headquarters of Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
He said the yearly flooding had been sacking villages and washing away farmlands.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for making HYPPADEC a reality, adding that within the short time the commission commenced operation, a lot had been achieved as safety along the waterways for navigation was improved upon.
In his remark, the Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Sadiq Abubakar Yelwa, said his commission had distributed 10, 000 life jackets to boat operators in the state to ensure that all passengers travelling the waterways were secure.
He added that plan was also underway to distribute additional 20,000 pieces of the Jackets adding that the essence of the life jackets was to ensure safety for all waterways passengers.
