Kebbi
Floods: 29 dead, 329,000 houses, 858,000 hectares of farmlands destroyed, Kebbi commissioner gives update
The Kebbi State Government has given an update of the menacing floods that ravaged the state, appealing for support of well-meaning organisations and individuals.
According to the state government, 329,000 houses were destroyed in the disaster and 858,000 hectares of farmlands washed away.
The farmlands were of crops such as rice, millet, guinea- corn, sorghum, beans, and other varieties.
The Kebbi State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Birnin Kebbi, gave the update at a briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Friday, emphasized the enormity of the flooding.
He explained that the level of mitigation required is overwhelming for the state government despite what it has put on the ground to provide succour to the victims.
The commissioner said, “Governor Nasir’s administration has done its best to cater to those affected by the flooding, wholesome compilation of reports on the level of the disaster in each community in all the local government areas have been made and would be presented to the Federal Agencies concerned, this Friday.
“We are soliciting help, the situation is dire, and the government needs assistance to effectively resettle those affected.
“Many of them have lost their means of livelihood, the disaster has forced farmers into penury, shortage of food looms on the horizon, and our food security target is in jeopardy unless urgent measures are put in place to remedy the situation.
“The Kebbi Government will provide improved seeds and other agricultural input to farmers to return to cultivation, but more is needed.
“Preliminary statistics show that seven persons died in Ngaski, eight in Maiyama, five in Kalgo, seven in Jega, and two in Birnin Kebbi, as a result of the flooding.”
On the N3 billion grant for flood mitigation from the Federal Government, the commissioner said he was not aware if the money has entered the coffers of the state.
He said, however, that: “I am also surprised that members from Kebbi State in the National Assembly including Senators, are yet to visit the areas ravaged by flooding to offer the necessary assistance and sympathy.”
He warned that the government may have to use force to evacuate adamant communities in flood-prone areas to safer places.