*state govt. delegation visits affected areas
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
A Gombe State Government delegation, led by the Commissioner overseeing the Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources, Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim Madugu, on Monday visited some communities affected by the recent flood disaster in Bajoga, Funakaye Local Government area.
It would be recalled that a three-year-old child died while his two-year-old sibling was critically injured following an early morning downpour that wreaked havoc in some areas of Bajoga town, including Shara- Mansur and Bodoriyel.
The sympathy and assessment visit by the state government team followed Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s directive to the Ministry of Environment, State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA and relevant agencies to immediately move in and carry out on the spot assessment of the damage as well as provide succour to ease the suffering of the victims.
Other members of the State’s delegation included Commissioner of internal Security, Hon Adamu Dishi Kupto, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, Ibrahim Sule Bage, representative of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) among others.
The delegation upon arrival was received and conducted round the affected areas by the Chairman of Funakaye local government council, Alh Ibrahim Cheldu and other stakeholders.
In his remarks during the visit, Hon Madugu conveyed Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s condolences and sympathies over the lives lost and the damages caused by flood in the affected Local Government.
“The essence of our visit today is to primary condole with you over this natural disaster that engulfed your communities as well as assess the level of damages caused with a view to developing an interventional recommendation to government so as to bring succour to the victims”.
He said, “His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya would have personally visited you but directed us to be here on his behalf because he travelled outside the State for an official engagement”, Hon Madugu stressed.
He urged the flood prone vommunities to heed and abide by the flash flood predictions and warnings by the Nigeria metrorological agency (NIMET).
In his response, Chairman, Funakaye local government council, Alh Ibrahim Adamu Cheldu lauded Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his prompt response in identifying with the affected communities and assured of his counci’s readiness to support his administration at all times.
The delegation also visited the Emir of Funakaye, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muazu Mohammed Kwairanga and also condoled with the monarch over the natural disaster that struck his community.
Communities visited include Shara Mansur, Jillahi among others.
