Flood displaces 452 persons in Bauchi
About 452 persons have been displaced by the recent flooding that ravaged some communities in Bauchi state. Speaking to our correspondent in a telephone interview on Sunday,
the information officer of the Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA, Malam Rufai Yamai, said the flood disaster left one person dead, unspecified number of houses destroyed and displaced about 452 persons.
Yamai explained that the incident, which occurred in Yana and Faggo communities, including Shira town, sacked many households from the area and properties worth millions of naira were swept away.
The information officer said N11million worth food and non-food materials were procured and distributed to the victims of the flood by the state governor, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, to reduce their hardship.
He said “at the initial stage some of the displaced persons took refuge in some primary schools within the affected communities while others went to squat with their relatives. So far most of them have gone back to their houses.”
Rufai called on the people to stop depending on government to do everything for them most especially cleaning of drainages and their surroundings.
He condemned the attitude of some people who are in the habit of dumping refuse indiscriminately which often lead to blockage of drainages and building on waterways, advising the perpetrators to desist from doing so to ensure a safer environment.
Earlier on, the Permanent Secretary, SEMA, Shehu Abu Ningi, while speaking to The Daily Times correspondent said the agency has desk offices across the 20 local government areas of the state and is collaborating with both religious and traditional leaders on how to prevent incidences of flooding in the state.
Ningi added that the agency under his supervision has also used the state owned media to enlighten communities on the danger of flooding.
He commended Governor Mohammed Abdullahi for the timely assistance rendered to the victims of the flood, saying the relief materials will go a long way in ameliorating their sufferings.
Samuel Luka, Bauchi
