- Five communities cut off in Sanga council •N7.8b properties ravaged in Bauchi, says SEMA
- Farmlands, properties destroyed in 16 councils •Soludo raises alarm over looming flooding, warns 10 councils
- Borno closes schools for two weeks
The recent flood that ravaged some communities in Kafanchan and some other villages in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State swept away two children and displaced over 1,000 residents.
Vice Chairman of the local government, Mrs. Christy Usman, announced this when the Kaduna State Impact Assessment Committee on Flood toured the affected communities in southern Kaduna
The council chief said the flood, which occurred in Kafanchan Municipal City, Jagindi, Atuku, Aso, and Bade wards, also washed away farmlands and destroyed crops worth millions of naira.
She said: “The flood affected people of Jema’a Local Government economically. But we are happy that Governor Uba Sani has responded positively by sending the committee, chaired by the Chief of Staff, Malam Sani Liman Kila, to assess its impact.
“We are happy that the governor is reacting to the plight of the people. We know, with this visit, compensation is coming and relief is coming for the victims of the flood disaster.
“Apart from farmlands washed away by the flood, over 1,000 people were affected. From a canal here in Kafanchan, two children were reported to have been carried away by the flood.
“We are, therefore, hopeful that the government will bring relief materials to the victims, especially food items, building materials, and financial assistance.”
Addressing reporters after visit to the affected communities in Sanga, Jema’a and Kachia local government areas, Kila, who is the chairman of the committee, said thousands of people needed immediate assistance.
In Bauchi State, the Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said floods destroyed more than N7.81 billion farmlands and properties in 16 local government areas of the state.
The agency’s Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Mr. Adamu Nayola, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Bauchi.
He said: “The floods, which affected communities in 16 hard-hit local government areas, destroyed and damaged houses, farmlands, roads, electricity poles, and domestic animals.
“This resulted in significant economic losses. Unfortunately, the disaster also claimed several lives with many others injured.”
He listed the affected areas as Giade, Shira, Katagum, Gamawa, Zaki, Kirfi, Dambam, Alkaleri, Darazo, Itas Gadau, Toro, Bauchi, Misau, Jama’are, Warji, and Ganjuwa.
Nayola announced that the agency was distributing materials to the affected communities, assuring that the state government was working to assist the victims and mitigate flooding.
Also, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has evaluated the extent of damage caused by recent floods in Yobe State.
The commission’s Managing Director, Muhammed Alkali, announced this while addressing reporters yesterday in Tarmuwa Local Government Area.
Alkali said the visit was for the assessment of the situation and providing immediate and long-term support for the people.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team visited the Tarajim-Garin-Gada road, linking Potiskum to northern parts of the state, damaged by a downpour.
NAN also reports that the team also inspected a collapsed road along Kariyari, Jumbam in Tarmuwa, which linked nine local government areas to northern and eastern part of the state.
In Gujba Local Government Area, the team assessed another damaged road in Katarko, linking southern Yobe, Gombe, and Borno states.
In Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has raised the alarm over impending flodds in 10 local government areas in the state.
The governor warned residents of the local government areas to take proactive measures to avert any disaster.
The 10 flood-prone local government areas are: Ogbaru, Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum, Awka North, Ihiala, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Idemili South, and Ekwusigo.
In a statement by the Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, the government said it had put some measures in place to avert another flood disaster in the state.
“The devastating floods that ravaged Anambra State last year, causing billions (of naira) in damage to public and private property, were a tragic wake-up call. Tragically, many lives were also lost.
“As another round of rainfall and possible flooding is fast approaching, the state government is urgently warning residents in flood-prone areas to take immediate action to protect themselves, their property, and their livelihoods.
“Accordingly, the Anambra State government has advised people living in high-risk local government areas, like Ogbaru, Ayamelum, Anambra East and West, Onitsha South and North, Awka North, Idemili South, Ekwusigo, and Ihiala, to begin relocating their crops, poultry, fish ponds, and domestic animals to safer grounds…”
In Borno State, the government has announced the closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools for two weeks due to floods that have displaced many residents.
A statement yesterday in Maiduguri, the state capital, by the Acting Director of Schools Services, Grema Bulama, reads: “Due to the ongoing flooding across the state and its adverse effects, the Borno State Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation has directed a statewide closure of all schools, both public and private, until Monday, September 23.
“We urge all concerned parties to comply strictly with this directive.
“We regret any inconvenience this notice may have caused and we appreciate your understanding.”
