Kebbi Governor Atiku Bagudu, on Saturday began assessment visit to flood ravaged communities, which occurred in seven local government area of the state.
Accompanied by officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) led by its Chairman, Alhaji Sani Dododo, visited communities in Augie, Argungu and Arewa local government, to asses rice farmlands, roads and bridges affected by the flood.
Bagudu, who defied the difficult terrains of the hinterlands, took time to interact with the victims, commiserated with them and listened to their needs with a view to assisting them.
Speaking to Journalists at Bakin Gada, in Argungu local government shortly after inspecting rice farmlands submerged by the floods, Bagudu expressed utmost shock over the incident, describing it as regrettable.
“Things like this happen, we are not unique in the world , it is regrettable. We have seen in the hurricane laura and other hurricanes similar and other worst problems,” he said.
He assured the farmers that the federal government with its institutions like the CBN and other organisations, would respond to the problem effectively.
”We are responding to disasters and supporting each other, and I believe the FGN, the CBN and other associations will respond to this effectively and timely too,” he further said.
While thanking the CBN and RIFAN for their concern over the flood situation in Kebbi, Bagudu equally appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership derive to making Nigeria self sufficient in food production.
He announced that Buhari will soon summon a meeting of the National Food Security Council to discuss the problem of flood disasters, among others.
Earlier, Governor Bagudu had visited Birnin Tudu, Tiggi, Shaharma and Agoda communities in Augie local government, while in Argungu local government, he was at Matan Fada, Bakin Gada, Zanginawa and Yeldu.
At Sabon Gari community, Birnin Tudu, Magaji Amadu, the village Head of the area complained to the governor how the flood submerged their rice farmlands.
He said that, the flood was a culmination of both the intensive rains being witnessed now, as well as the water released from the dam.
An elderly farmer, Alhaji Aliyu Soda, while appealing for assistance from the government, said that, for over 11 years, they have never seen a flood disaster as devastating as this one.
He made a passionate appeal to the government to assist them with farming inputs such as assorted seeds and fertilizers, among others.
The governor, while comiserating with the victims, assured them of his government’s intention to assist them.
At Kwakkwashe village where the State Government, through SEMA distributed relief materials to the displaced victims, the governor, while commiserating with the community, said government was worried about their plight.
Bagudu further charged them to cooperate with the authorities, as they should temporarily relocate to a safe haven.
The Chairman of SEMA earlier told the governor that apart from the efforts of the agency in the relocation of the victims, relief materials were donated to them .
They included 20 bags of rice,10 bags millet, 10 bags of guneacorn, 5 bags salt, 30 cartons of macaroni,5 cartons of tomatoes,50 bundles of Shadda, 50 bundles of Guinea brocade and 7 Jerry cans of groundnut oil.
Others were 5 cooking pots, 100 plastic kettles,100 plastic buckets,100 plastic cups, 100 plastic plates, 100 mosquitoe nets, 5 cartons of bathing soaps, 100 plastic mats,100 blankets and truckload of firewood.
On Sunday
Bagudu on Sunday, visited communities in four other local governments Suru, Bunza, Kalgo and Birnin Kebbi affected by the flood.
In Suru local government, he visited farmlands along that axis before proceeding to Bunza local government to see the devastation caused by the floods
At Kalgo Local government area, Bagudu accompanied by the Chairman of Kalgo Local Government, Shamsu Faruk went round some areas in Kalgo town, particularly to assess a water logged portion caused by the flood.
In Birnin Kebbi local government, governor Bagudu was at Dukku area along Makera road to see the rice farmlands enmeshed by the floods while farmers waved and thanked him for the visit.
A rice farmer, Suleiman Bashir who stood helplessly and watched his rice farmland submerged in water begged the state and federal government to come to their aid to reduce their suffering.
“I don’t know even what to do, I have two large rice farms completely submerged by the flood.
“We are begging for the state and federal government to assist us , I am sure God will not let our prayers in vain,” he said.
Earlier on, the governor made a stop over at Government Girls Secondary School Bunza and Command Science Secondary Girls School, Goru in Birnin Kebbi local Government area, to see the ongoing construction of building infrastructure in the school.
At GGSS Bunza where the Principal, Hajiya Kulu Yusuf Fakai received the governor, he also inspected a building damaged by the rainstorm in the school.
The students who were elated by the visit of the governor, clapped joyously to welcome him.
He advised the final year students to remain focussed, read their books and also pray for their parents.
He also demanded to know from the students if they were being well fed which they all acknowledged in a large voice.
The Principal of the school, Hajiya Kulu Yusuf expressed gratitude to the governor for the visit.
