Kwara Gov Raises Probe Panel As Flood Submerges Rice Farmlands In Shonga

Following the opening of a dam to release excess water, many rice farmlands in Shonga, Edu local government area of Kwara State, have been submerged.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the devastating flooding happened in the early hours of Sunday.

A source told LEADERSHIP that the damage done to the rice farmlands in Bida and its environs in Niger State was collosal.

This development has necessitated the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to set up a committee to investigate “the unusual flooding of several rice farmlands in Shonga, Edu local government area of the state.”

The committee is led by the deputy chief of staff to the governor, Princess Bukola Babalola.

Other members of the committee are commissioners for Agriculture, Water Resources, Environment; special adviser on Special Duties; senior special assistant on Security to the governor, Alhaji Muhyideen Aliu; Kwara State Emergency Management Agency; a director in the Office of the secretary to the state government (secretary); and Kwara State Social Investment Programme.

A statement signed by the governor’s chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, said: ” The committee is to visit the affected areas on a fact-finding mission, where it will deliver the government’s condolence message to His Royal Highness, Emir of Shonga, Dr. Haliru Yahyah Ndanusa (OON) and the victims.”

When contacted, the chairman of Edu local government area council, Alh Abdullahi Bello, confirmed the flooding of rice farmlands in Shonga.

He said the devastating flood was a result of opening of a dam somewhere.

“There was a devastating flooding of several rice farmlands in Shonga. It was caused by the release of water from a dam. My team alongside the state government delegation have visited Shonga for the on-the-spot assessment and to commiserate with the Emir of Shonga and the victims. We’ re just leaving Shonga now,” Bello said when he spoke with LEADERSHIP on Sunday evening.