Road destroyed by floods in Jalam in Dambam LGA of Bauchi State
*Lawmakers frown at govt’s slow response to floods in the state
ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi
Three people have died and no fewer than 150 houses destroyed by floods in Shira, Warji and Ningi local government areas of Bauchi state.
Members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly disclosed this during their sitting on Tuesday.
Hon. Saleh Jibir representing Disina Constituency, who raised an alarm while speaking under matters of urgent public importance during plenary, lamented that the State Government had failed to control flooding across the state.
According to him, there was report of rampant flooding at about this time last year across the State and the House set up a committee which went round the local governments for assessments.
He added that after that, the committee compiled and submitted its report, including the estimate of the damages, and took same to the Executive but unfortunately no action was taken by the government.
The Lawmaker recalled that two weeks ago, the same issue of flooding accross the State was raised and the House decided to send a reminder to the Executive, yet nothing has been done.
He said that currently there is a report of cases of flooding “almost everywhere”.
Jibir said: “In Disina there is flooding in some areas that claims one life. I therefore urge this Honourable House to take immediate and emergency action on the matter in my constituency and the areas where the damages are every high across the State.
Also, contributing, the Member representing Warji Constituency, Hon. Yunusa Ahmad, said 150 houses and other means of livelihood have been destroyed in Kamasaya of Dagu Ward.
He said that “also, in Burra village (in Ningi LGA), the flooding claimed two lives.”
Ahmad added that “this happens every year during raining season and nothing has been done. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) was proactive to visit the victims but nothing is given to them.”
He urged the Assembly to set up a committee to sympathise with the victims and mount pressure on the State Government to take action.
The Lawmaker also suggested that the COVID-19 palliative items should be diverted to the victims of the flood since the victims of the disease are not much in the State.
Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Tijjani Aliyu, representing Azare /Madangala Constituency, expressed disappointment in respect to response to emergency by all the relevant agencies in the State.
According to him, last year, the same matter was reported in many areas especially in Shira where many houses were destroyed and many people died and the House constituted a committee that went round the State for assessment and made recommendations to the state government.
He noted that the Committee worked with SEMA to carryout the assignment but up to this moment nothing was done.
“No a single item worth five Naira was extended to the victims of flooding across the State.
“Our responsibility is to protect the lives and properties of the people. I therefore urge the Honourable House to be proactive in the approach on matters like these.
“Let’s make sure the victims get succour from the State and lawmakers,” he pleaded.
The Member representing Bogoro Constituency, Hon. Musa Wakili Nakwada, lamented that the names of the lawmakers will be dented if care was not taken.
He said: “We went round the State for assessment last year and nothing was done, if they see us again this year what will they call us? They will call us names”.
Nakwada urged the House to direct the state government to ensure that whether there is money or not, it must find a way to intervene on the matter, “no matter how small, the government should do something and the agency should be funded.”
Meanwhile, a resident of Misau, Yusuf Jalam who spoke with our Correspondent on telephone lamented that flood has disconnected their community by breaking a linking road in Jalam town in Dambam LGA of the state.
“There is no way we can take out our farm produce. Most of us can no longer go to farm, there is nothing to go and meet over there. Flood has washed everything away.”