Three people have died as flood submerged communities in Shira, Giade and Katagum Local Government Areas of Bauchi State.
Receiving a delegation led by the Secretary to the State Government Ibrahim Muhammed Kashim when they visited Katagum LGA to give them relief materials, the caretaker committee chairman of Katagum, Musa Azare, said “Sabon Gari village, outskirts of Azare town, along Azare-Jama’are Federal Highway, Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State were submerged.
“The village has been completely submerged. There is no single household that was not affected. We have however successfully evacuated everybody from the village to a nearby government quarters, with the magnanimous approval of Senator Bala AbdulKadir Mohammed, Executive Governor of Bauchi State.
“And the happiest thing is that, there is no single life lost in the tragic floods. We are still assessing the damage done by the floods to properties. Katagum Local Government is working with State and National Emergency Management Agencies in that regard.
“I want to use this medium to express my deepest gratitude to His Excellency Senator Bala Mohammed for sending 900 bags of varieties of grains; rice 300 bags, sorghum 300 bags, maize 300 bags; 250 mattresses and; blankets, to provide succour to the victims.
“Similarly, I want to appreciate His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Umar Farouk II, OON, the Emir of Katagum for donating the sum of N2m to cater for the immediate needs of the displaced victims.We as a Local Government have also donated the sum of N1m to the victims.”
The Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Mas’ud Aliyu, said it was reported to them that three people died in Shira Local Government area, thousands of people are now homeless, without means of livelihood, including farmlands, some roads cut off as a result of the flood that submerged the areas.
He said assessment is ongoing across the three local government areas.
The relief materials presented by the state government with the aim of alleviating the suffering of the victims, and to provided them with essential items needed to survive the disaster.
Some of the items donated included bags of varieties of grains; rice, sorghum, bags, maize, mattresses and; blankets, to provide succour to the victims.
Barrister kashim.urged the victims to take heart and understand that whay had happened to them is an act of God.
He advised them to always abide by the warning of Nigeria Metrological Agency NIMET Warning.
The Caretaker council Chairmen of the Shira and Giade Local Government areas highlighted the devastating impact of the flood. “
The flood has washed away entire villages, which forced the communities to seek for temporary refugee resettlement centers,” and expressed gratitude to Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed who’s swift response demonstrates its commitment to the welfare of its citizens, despite the challenges posed by the flood.
