Kebbi reps lament N10b lost to flooding

Kebbi State caucus in the House of Representatives on Tuesday asked the Federal Government to commission a study to find a solution to the perennial flooding in the country and avert possible food crisis.

Speaking to reporters on the flooding situation which washed away farmlands across the state, the lawmakers said about N10 billion had been lost to the flood and appealed to the Federal Government to send relief materials to the affected areas to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency had warned about possible flooding in several states, with heavy flooding expected from the Upper Niger Basin from the first week of September, adding that states along the River Niger need to buckle up as a result of the expected flood.

Governor Atiku Bagudu on Tuesday visited Jega town to assess the havoc caused by the recent floods in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor moved around the town to assess the houses affected by the flood.

He also commiserated with hundreds of victims whose houses and farmlands were submerged by the devastating floods.

Bagudu also sympathised with residents Titin Kara area whose houses were submerged by the floods.

He urged the victims to accept the incident in good faith, confide in Almighty Allah and seek solace from Him.

Bagudu said the devastation caused by the floods to farmlands, houses, properties and in some cases, death of relatives, was worrisome.

“Since the report came to me, I have navigated many local government areas to assess the situation. This is my second coming to Jega and I went round to many affected areas as you can see.

“I really feel so sad over the situation, God knows why and nobody can question Him.”

Bagudu told the victims that the situation was not only peculiar to Kebbi but also many states and countries.

He said a team from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) would soon be dispatched to assess the situation, to enable the government to provide assistance to them.

He said farmers affected would be supported with adequate inputs to go back to their farms when the water receded.

Bagudu urged residents of Jega, especially the wealthy to be their brothers’ keepers by extending assistance and compassion to the flood victims.

The governor also conveyed the message of sympathy from President Muhammadu Buhari over the unfortunate situation.

Bagudu was accompanied by the District Head of Jega, Alhaji Muhammadu Arzika Bawa-Jega, member representing Jega Constituency, Faruk Nasarawa, the Chief Imam of Jega, Liman Dayyabu among others.

In Jigawa State, Governor Muhammadu Abubakar regretted his government’s inability to access ecological funds from the federal government despite the environment hazards across the state.

Abubakar said: “20 to 25 people had lost their lives as a result of incidents caused by the flood in the state.”

“Yes! We do have several environmental problems which include gully erosion in the state capital, typer grass in River Hadejia which blocked the river and causing flood every year where people are losing farms and domestic items.”

In Kano State, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje sympathised with families of recent flood victims, assuring them of government’s support.

Ganduje’s sympathy is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Abba Anwar in Kano yesterday.

“We are saddened by the deaths caused by flood during this year’s rainy season.

“May Allah forgive their wrongdoings and reward their good deeds with Jannah.

“May Allah give their families the fortitude to bear the loss.”

The governor stated that apart from the lives lost, many people also lost their properties and farmlands washed away.

Veritas Kapital Assurance, a leading and frontline insurance company has said it would not waste time to compensate farmers who suffered losses in recent flood disasters in Sokoto, after it took an inventory and assessment of the level of damage.

It stated that being in the driving seat of the federal government’s food security and sufficiency agenda through its services for the growth of agricultural production, VKA takes claim settlement seriously.

The assurances came yesterday in Sokoto from the Managing Director of VKA Kenneth Egbaran.

Egbaran made this known at an interactive session with representatives of various farmer groups affected by flood in the state.

“Farmers affected by the flood disaster in the state would be restored in good time.”