*state govt says 134 lives lost, property worth 1.4 trillion destroyed
By; DAHIRU SULEIMAN, Dutse
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) through its Jigawa Council Chairman, Comrade Garba Mohammed Balangu has called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency, declare Jigawa state a disaster zone , due to persistent floods which ravaged almost the entire state.
Making the call in Katsina during this year’s Press Week organized by the Katsina Council of the NUJ, he noted that several towns and villages alongside farm produce across local government areas of Ringim, Taura, Kaugama, Miga, Auyo, Kafin Hausa, Malam Madori Kirikasamma Hadejia and Guri have been washed away by flood, stressing that hence the need for federal government to offer the victims same relief treatment as traditionally offered victims of insurgency and other natural calamities.
He appealed to wealthy individuals and corporate organizations within and outside Jigawa State to assist the flood victims to ameliorate their hardship. This year’s Katsina NUJ Press Week celebration featured a public lecture, visitation to General hospital, orphanage and remand homes as well as sporting events competition.
Recent indices from the office of the Jigawa State’s Relief Management Agencies, SEMA has indicated that the Jigawa flooding has claimed ninety eight lives, and rendered over fifty thousand households homeless, taking refugee’s in fifteen different IDP Camps in Jigawa State.
According to the Executive Secretary Jigawa SEMA, Alh. Sani Yusuf Babura we have provided shelter, and provision of foodstuffs worth millions of Naira, and medication to most affected victims who are now in our fifteen different IDP camps.
No fewer than fifteen out of twenty seven LGA’S in jigawa state were affected by flood which destroyed houses, broken down over thirty major highways, and bridges. Also disconnect the state by seven states due to broken down highways and bridges.
The state government through its deputy governor, has stated that the state has lost 134 lives, while property worth 1.4 trillion destroyed.
The Deputy governor while receiving the United Nations Children Emergency Fund UNICEF official, Rahman Rihub Mahmud Fara has stated in his office.
He said about 22 roads and 11 bridges were completely washed away by the water, while one village was completely destroyed.
Namadi, said the flood moved towards the eastern part of the state, adding that Kirikasamma and Birniwa local government areas could be greatly affected.
He said the flood affected 272,189 people, out of which 76,887 lost their houses and 134 people died, adding that residents in a local government were completely cut away from the rest of the state.
The Deputy Governor appealed to the federal government and other development partners, including the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to come to the aid of the state.
Meanwhile Senator Sabo Mohammed Nakudu representing Jigawa North Central Senatorial District in the country’s Red Chamber’s through his foundation, Nakudu Foundation has donated food stuff’s worth Ten Million Naira, and cash backing of five million Naira to each of the seven councils that make up his constituency.
This was disclosed by his Representative as well the Foundation Spokesman, Alh. Khalid S. Ibrahim in Gwaram local government area.
While presenting the Gwaram Council of the donation of Five Million Naira to the Council Chairman, Alh. Abdul-Aziz to the affected flood victims of the area.
According to Khalid, the donation was meant to alleviate the sufferings of the victim’s as a result of the flooding, and pray to Almighty Allah to prevent future reoccurrence of the menace.
Receiving the gesture, the Gwaram Council Chairman ,Hon. Zahrideen Abubakar, commended Senator Nakudu for the gesture and assured proper utilization and distribution of the given relief grains to the victim’s.
Least amongst the donated grains are 150 bags of Rice, Maize, Millet, and Guinea-corn, among other domestic utensils.
