220 COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY FLOOD IN NIGER STATE 26-09-23
By Sadiq Aminu Two hundred and twenty communities in fifteen Local Government Areas of Niger state have been displaced by flood this year.
Acting Director General Niger State Emergency Management Agency NSEMA Alhaji Salihu Garba stated this in an interview with Radio Nigeria in Minna on their level of preparedness towards mitigating the disaster.
Alh Salihu Garba explained that of the number of casualties fifteen communities from Mokwa Local Government Area are presently displaced among whom are Banji, Pawpo, Maregi, Ciwonwuya and Jippu among others.
According to him the extent and level of damage by the flood varies from one community to another as well as Local Government and another Local Government Area.
While in some Local Government Areas some have their houses destroyed in other places they have their farmlands affected while in some cases others were affected by the destruction of both farmlands and houses.
Alh Salihu Garba however said Niger State Emergency Management Agency is not taken lightly the prediction by Nigeria Metrological Agency NIMET of possible heavy downpour from twenty third of this month to the twenty seventh which may likely result in flooding leading to the destruction of lives and properties.
He said three Local Government Areas of Kontagora Mashegu and Borgu are expected to be affected by the flood and therefore directed communities living in those areas to relocate to safer grounds to avoid unbearable consequencies.
Alh Salihu Garba added that though they have provided resettlement areas for the people to relocate they will not relent in their enlightenement campaign on the need for communities in riverine areas to stay away from such places for their safety.