ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has revealed that over 2,000 houses, 5,000 farmlands as well as properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed by flood that ravaged over 17 villages in Kirfi LGA of Bauchi State.
NATIONAL ACCORD had reported that residents of the area had said that the flood, which was caused by a downpour on Thursday, was the worst disaster they have experienced in the LGA in over 70 years.
The areas seriously affected are: Cheledi, Magaji, Ningi, M. Baba, Jarmai, Turaki, Waziri, Kaldiri, Garkuwa, Karofi, Kwagal, Danba, Kawu Moni, Nasarawa, Dewu, Babar and Badara.
Governor Mohammed, while speaking at the Palace of the District Head of Cheledi village during his visit to commiserate with the victims on Saturday, said he shares the pains of the people.
He was accompanied by top government officials in the state including the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, during the visit.
He directed the Secretary to the State Government, to immediately buy mattresses and blankets for distribution to those whose houses had been destroyed.
“We cannot go to all the areas affected and that was why we came here to commiserate with you on behalf of the people. Please, extend our heartfelt sympathy to all those that were affected. Help us tell them that we share their pains and we are with them in this disaster that has happened to them.
“We have brought immediate relief of two trailer loads of rice and maize. I hereby direct the Secretary to the State Government that matrasses and blankets should immediately be purchased and distributed to those affected because people are suffering.
“That is what we can do now but we will set up a strong committee under the Chairmanship of the Member of the State House of Assembly representing Kirfi, the Local Government Chairman, representative of the District Heads and all the Village heads of the areas affected are members of this committee,” he said.
“You should make an assessment of the level of damage, write down the names of those affected and what they have lost, so that when we bring the relief which cannot go round everyone. But we will give a substantial relief as a government.
He said that the government will work towards bringing a permanent solution to Kirfi local government to address their challenges of flood.
The governor charged the District Head and the Emir of Bauchi to monitor the committee closely,
He called on the people to maintain a personal and environmental and stop disposing their refuse on waterways.
According to him, anywhere there is a disaster, there is always a breech of security moreso, “with the situation we are in as a country, so I urge you to deploy vigilante groups across the areas affected especially those taken refuge in different places”.
“Lastly, people should fear God, especially youths and women, now that the people are displaced so that there will be no records of immortality in these areas as a result of this disaster. If these happens, we will sin against God and he will punish us severely. As Muslims, we know that if we continue with immoral acts, honestly, God will test us again.”
In his response, the District Head of Kirfi, Umar Muhammad Umar, expressed gratitude to the governor for coming to sympathize with the people of the local government barely two days after the disaster happened.
Umar, who was represented by the village head of Cheledi, Adamu Muazu, said: “We are very grateful for bringing two trailers of rice and maize to the people to cushion their sufferings. We will never forget this kind gesture all our lives.”