National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
By Olabode Adaramola
Niger State Government has raised the alarm that no fewer than 17,000 communities have been affected in the State during the on going raining season this year.
The Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane raised the alarm at the weekend when he embarked on the on- the -spot assessment of the flooding situation in Mokwa Local Government Area of the State, saying that “about 60,000 people in the Council Area were affected by the floods with houses pulled down just as farmlands measuring several hectares were also submerged”.
According to the SSG, the State government was distributing about 2,400 assorted grains to communities affected by the recent flood in the local government, in order to cushion the effects of the flood on the victims.
He stressed that the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) member States have already sent nomination to the Federal government for the immediate take-off of the Commission and management team, adding that the take-off of the Commission will help address the perennial challenges of flooding and other ecological hazards.
Ahmed Matane assured the people of Muregi that government would expedite action towards relocating them to the new Muregi before the end of the incumbent Governor Abubakar Sani Belle- led administration.
He pointed out that in recent past Niger State has been experiencing flooding of River Niger and discharge from the dams situated in the state, resulting to unquantifiable hardship including loss of lives and farmlands as well as property.
Commiserating with the victims of the disaster, Ahmed Matane expressed worry with the present situation of the people, stressing that the State government was deeply concerned with this unfortunate incident that ravaged many farmlands and residential houses in the communities affected.
In their separate remarks when the SSG paid a courtesy visit to their palaces, the Kuta of Kede, Alhaji Muhammad Muregi and District Head of Jaagi, Alhaji Yahaya Aliyu appealed to the government to come to their aid as they didn’t have anywhere to go.
They noted that they have experienced double calamity as the flood washed away their farmlands and houses.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State government was accompanied by two members of the State House of Assembly representing Lavun and Edati Local Governments, Hon. (Comrade ) Abdullahi Shaba Gbara and Hon. Salihu Tama.
Others include the Special Adviser, Zone A, Alhaji Nasiru Ndafogi, Chairman, Mokwa Local Government Council, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar Sheti, top government functionaries and party stalwarts.
