As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community resilience and promote grassroots climate action, the Kaduna State Climate Change Accountability Mechanism (KADCCAM), in collaboration with the Transparency and Accountability in Totality Initiative (TinT-FollowTaxes), carried out a community engagement and sensitization visit to Tudun Wada Community.
The exercise aimed to foster collaboration among stakeholders and address pressing environmental challenges, particularly flooding and poor sanitation.
KADCCAM Co-Leader for the Agricultural Sector in Kaduna State, Rev. Michael I. Ikpa, led the discussions at the palace of the Village Head of Tudun Wada, emphasizing the need for stronger cooperation to mitigate climate change and environmental degradation.
The meeting, which commenced around 11:00 a.m., opened with prayers jointly led by Muslim and Christian clerics, symbolizing interfaith unity. This was followed by introductions of participants, including community leaders, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders.
Key Challenges Identified
Participants highlighted several environmental and social issues affecting the community, including:
- High risk of flooding, with calls for urgent dredging of the river from Kigo Road to Tudun Wada to reduce the impact during the rainy season.
- Water contamination caused by gutter runoff flowing into community wells, posing serious health risks.
- Poor waste management, including indiscriminate dumping and unmanaged refuse sites.
- Inadequate government response to sanitation concerns raised by the community.
Rev. Ikpa also outlined KADCCAM’s four thematic focus areas: agriculture and ecosystem restoration; green energy and economy; waste, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); and climate governance, social inclusion, and public awareness. He stressed the importance of inclusive participation, particularly for vulnerable groups such as persons living with disabilities.
In his remarks, KADCCAM Co-Chairman, Mr. Ibrahima Yakubu, emphasized the need for collaboration between the organization and the community to tackle climate-related challenges. He highlighted the importance of early warning systems to prevent disasters, improved community preparedness, and the promotion of sustainable environmental practices.
Speaking on behalf of TinT-FollowTaxes, Mallam Musbahu Mukhtar Ashu underscored the need for synergy among civil society groups, community members, and government agencies. He also called for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and suggested partnering with the Kaduna State Vigilante Service to curb indiscriminate waste disposal.
Capacity Building and Commitments
TinT-FollowTaxes pledged to train women in the community on the production of clean, climate-friendly cooking stoves, with a sample presented during the visit.
KADCCAM also disclosed plans to partner with another non-governmental organization specializing in early warning and response systems ahead of the 2026 rainy season.
Similarly, the Kaduna State Elder Climate Forum, led by Alhaji Idris Musa, Shattiman Gundumar Tudun Wada, noted that the visit had strengthened collaboration and networking efforts aimed at mitigating disasters and improving residents’ livelihoods.
He stressed that sustained partnership with government and civil society organizations would play a key role in reducing environmental degradation and called for effective coordination among all stakeholders.
Responding, the Sarkin Tudun Wada, Alhaji Yahaya Shehu, commended KADCCAM and TinT-FollowTaxes for their intervention. He appealed to the Ministry of Environment to provide iron refuse bins across the community to reduce waste entering waterways.
He also called on the state government to support the dredging of rivers along Bashama Road and surrounding areas to curb flooding.
The meeting, attended by traditional rulers and religious leaders, reinforced the need for collective action in addressing environmental challenges and mitigating flood risks in the community.
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