Flood Disaster: Pay Attention To Niger Delta Like Borno, Ex-APC Spokesperson Tells FG, Others

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Yekini Nabena, has called on the Federal Government, donors agencies and private individuals to give the same attention given to the recent flood disaster in Borno State to the Niger Delta region.

The APC chieftain said the region urgently required such attention due to the ongoing devastating effects of the flood, which has killed many people and destroyed several farmlands.

Nabena, in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, specifically appealed to the new Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Minister, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and the agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency, National Commission for Refugees, among others, not to close their eyes against the ongoing disaster in the Niger Delta region.

He said Bayelsa and Delta States farmers were counting their losses as floods washed away their Cassava farms.

The Bayelsa APC chieftain said governments at all levels should not forget that all the waters causing disasters in the North and other regions choose to settle in the Niger Delta region, hence the need for more attention.

“It has become necessary to appeal to the Federal Government, its donors and individuals who have donated to the recent flood disasters in the North-east to do the same for the Niger Delta region.

“In recent times, several lives have been lost, property destroyed, and extensive farmlands are washed away, rendering several people and communities homeless, jobless and all their sources of livelihoods destroyed.

“Although there are agencies of government in this region just like we have in the northeast, the devastating effects of this disaster have far gone beyond the likes of Niger Delta Development Commission and others.

“I, at this moment, call on the federal government, private individuals, and donor agencies to urgently intervene to reduce the negative effects of the recent flood disaster in our region to the minimum,” he added.

Erosion In Kano Communities Worries FG

By Longtong Yakubu, Kano

The House Committee on Ecological Funds Chairman, Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, has assured the Kano state government of facilitating quick intervention in areas affected by erosion.

Hon. Jaji, a member of the National House of Assembly from Zamfara State, disclosed this during a special visit alongside other Honourable committee members conducting on-the-spot assessments at the erosion sites in Kano.

According to the chairman, the visit was to assess the situation, compile a comprehensive report for the government, and quickly bring help to the affected sites.

“We visited Kano State like any other state to purposely see the actual situation by ourselves and the unpleasant conditions caused by the eroded areas. As a committee, we will quickly assist the affected sites and compile a comprehensive report for government urgent intervention, “he stated.

The director of public enlightenment of the Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ismail Gwammaja, quoted the Committee chairman as having expressed worry over the devastating situation at some of the visited sites.

While commending the ministry and state government for their concern in addressing and escalating the issue, he assured his committee of its commitment to doing everything possible to compile its report for government intervention.

Meanwhile, the Environment Commissioner, Rt. Hon. Nasiru Garo, while leading the committee to the eroded sites, highlighted how the erosion had eroded farmlands, roads, and properties and even led to the loss of lives.

He, therefore, appealed to the committee to do what was needed, having seen the reality on the ground.

Some of the areas visited include the Getso Erosion site in Gwarzo Local Government Area (LGA), Rarin in Dawakin Tofa LGA, Bulbula Gayawa in Ungogo LGA, and Kwankwasiyya City in Kumbotso LGA.