Zamfara State Affected By Flood, Gov't Offers N100 million

During a visit to the local government on Saturday for an on-the-spot assessment, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, the Emir of Gummi, Justice Hassan Lawal (retired), revealed this.

Lawal evaluated the extent of the flood damage on Saturday by traveling to Gummi town and the Gayari settlement. Justice Lawal provided a summary of the state of affairs in the local government to the governor.

Gummi’s citizens thanked the governor for visiting them to offer his condolences following the arrival of three separate delegations earlier. “We are pleased that the governor is here. This implies his concern for us. The flood has left two thirds of the residents in this town without a place to live. We have optimism just because the governor came to inspect the situation.

A local stated, “Some people are seeking refuge in government buildings, while others are in elementary, middle, and high schools, and still others are in gas stations.” A commission headed by the esteemed statesman Alhaji Salihu Maibuhu Gumi has been established by the state administration to supervise the distribution of relief supplies and guarantee that all impacted parties have the essential support.

“After consulting with specialists, it appears that a long-term resolution is achievable. 10,291 families were impacted by the assessment, but we recognize that the governor will visit the affected areas to confirm his findings,” he stated.

The governor expressed his sympathy to the flood victims and then stated that 10,000 bags of mixed grains, blankets, and mosquito nets would be distributed to them as part of an urgent N100,000 relief effort.

Lawal also promised to handle long-term flood control through the construction of new drainage systems, the maintenance of current dams, and the possible construction of new dams.

“I am here today in Gummi local government area to extend my condolences and perform an on-the-ground assessment of the communities that were devastated by flooding brought on by heavy rainfall last week,” he remarked.

“I would want to use this occasion to let you know that 10,000 bags of food, consisting of rice, maize, and millet, have been donated by me to help the flood victims.

The trucks are en route to Gummi for the purpose of distribution.

“I am also providing N100 million in support of the affected victims on behalf of the Zamfara State Government.”
Furthermore, all affected individuals will be given land outside of the risk area so they can construct new homes.”

Nearly 200 Dead

An emergency official reported on Thursday that floods in some sections of the country have caused at least 179 deaths and more than 200,000 displaced persons.

Thus far, Nigeria’s north has experienced the majority of the country’s significant flooding. According to data released by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), at least 107,600 hectares (265,885 acres) of farmlands have also been impacted.

NEMA spokesman Ezekiel Manzo stated that while the most of the deaths occurred in the country’s north, Nigeria’s middle and southern regions would be more severely affected as the rain gets heavier.

He did not specify the precise time when the killings and relocations had taken place. According to Manzo, “the situation being witnessed in the central and southern parts of the country will become worse as a result of the collection of water from the northern part flowing downward.”

Manzo told AFP. There is an increased risk for communities near the banks of the Niger and Benue rivers.
According to Manzo, there have been floods in certain areas of the nation that were not previously thought to be vulnerable to them.

Flooding, which is typically brought on by heavy rainfall and inadequate infrastructure, has in the past severely damaged the most populous nation in Africa.

In 2012, there were around 360 deaths and over 2.1 million displaced people. The biggest floods in ten years occurred in 2022, resulting in 1.4 million people being relocated and over 500 deaths. In a statement released on Wednesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said that warnings would be issued by the government to lessen the effects of environmental accidents.

According to Manzo, emergency managers have prepared strategies to prevent a repetition. “People won’t be caught off guard because we don’t have time to waste anymore,” he told AFP.