We Can’t Go Home, Floods Have Taken Over Our Houses – Displaced Nasarawa Residents

No fewer than 11 communities have been sacked and over 5,000 people displaced following massive flooding that submerged riverine communities in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that the incident was as a result of a torrential downpour that lasted for three days.

The affected communities, it was learnt, are located downstream of the River Benue, which worsened the situation.

A native of one of the communities affected by the disaster, Emmanuel Ogebe from Ochekpe, told our correspondent on the phone that the flood also submerged maize, groundnuts, rice and other crops that were already due for harvest.

He said the rain, which started last Tuesday with a drizzle, intensified the following day, submerging many communities and washing away houses.

He said the affected communities remained inaccessible for days, as the flood cut off the link road to the headquarters of Doma Local Government Area.

Emmanuel disclosed that his relatives in Ochekpe, Rukubi and Ijiwo communities, who were also affected by the flood, have been evacuated to Benue State via Kanone.

The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, NGOs and Disaster Management, Hon. Muhammad Baba Shehu, and the Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed to LEADERSHIP that they had to use a speedboat through the River Benue from Makurdi, Benue State, to access the submerged areas.

The NSEMA DG also confirmed that the road linking Doma to the affected communities has been completely ravaged and submerged by floodwater, making it a no-go area.

“Because of the condition of the road, the road has been so ravaged by the flood that if we were to go by road, it would have taken close to six or seven hours. It was a lot easier to come through Makurdi and take a flying boat,” he explained.

“As I speak, the motor road linking those areas from Doma is completely impassable. It is through Makurdi, by boat, that people now access their homes.”

“The level of flooding was so massive, so devastating, that it left in its wake very challenging circumstances. Hundreds of households were completely submerged in water, thereby affecting means of livelihood and shelter, and you could see the challenge of potable drinking water,” he said.

“In some of these communities, you have to roll up nearly half of your trousers because the water level is so severe. Cornstalks were wiped out.”

On the number of persons affected, the DG said a preliminary assessment puts the figure at over 5,000.

“Honestly speaking, the affected communities are in the region of 11 or 12. The number of people affected is in the region of 4,000 and above. It shows you that the whole thing is so massive. Some of these people have already been relocated and are taking shelter in neighbouring communities. It’s in the region of 4,000 to 5,000,” he stated.

He attributed the flood to heavy rains and the overflow of the River Benue, noting that the agency had received a flood alert on May 9th indicating that three local government areas — Toto, Nasarawa and Doma — would be flooded this year.

He added that the agency had gone round to sensitize residents of riverine areas, but warned that the situation may worsen with the impending release of water from the dam in Cameroon.

On intervention, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, NGOs and Disaster Management said the state government, through his ministry, is already working to ensure that all affected persons and communities are properly catered for.

The DG also confirmed that the Ministry of Humanitarian Services and NSEMA are already procuring relief materials for the victims.

“The relief materials we are looking to take to them include food items, which are being handled by the Humanitarian Ministry, while we at NSEMA are handling non-food items such as mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets, cement, roofing sheets and the like. This is because most of the houses are already giving way; they are falling apart,” he said.

He urged residents to adhere strictly to building standards and avoid building on floodplains and waterways.

“People need to be very careful where and how they construct their houses. People build not only along floodplains but without regard for waterways. They don’t create space or channels for water to pass seamlessly. You find people’s dustbins, refuse and all manner of waste along water channels, further aggravating the situation,” he warned.