Governor Abubarkar Sani Bello of Niger State has announced the donation of N31 million to victims of the recent flooding that ravaged Suleja, Tafa and Lapai local government councils.
He also called for strict adherence to urban development regulations in the state.
The governor made the appeal during an on-the-spot assessment visit to some flooded areas in Lapai, Suleja and Tafa local government areas of the state as a follow-up to earlier visit by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso.
Bello pointed out that the collateral and financial losses to flooding were basically due to non-adherence to urban development rules and regulations as evidenced in indiscriminate building of structures without recourse to the law, flood or stream plains.
Bello, who expressed sadness over the number of casualties and properties lost to the flood in the affected areas, said, “All these losses incurred both in human and properties would have been averted if our people will adhere strictly to urban development regulations.
“It is glaring that most of the affected structures were on the natural flood path and naturally water will find its course. We need to have a change of attitude from unwholesome practice and obey simple laws that are meant for our good and safety”.
At Gawuraka in Tafa Local Government Area where a dead body washed away by flood was recovered meters away from the victim’s home, Bello directed that all the debris on the over-flooded stream be cleared to give way for free flow of water and to forestall future disasters.
Bello also visited Checheniya area of Suleja to console one of the victims, Malam Saad Abdullahi, who lost two wives and six children to the flood and also inspected the washed away ductile pipes conveying water to Suleja town by the flood at the Second Gate, Field base area of the town.
At Sabo Orehi village in Lapai Local Government Area of the state where a bridge linking the council with Kogi state was washed off, the governor assured residents of the area that a new bridge would be constructed to replace the collapsed one within 40 days by Niger State Road Maintenance Agency (NIGROMA).
Bello had earlier approved the release of N30 million to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NISEMA) to enable it provide relief materials for the flood victims in the affected councils, including Minna metropolis.
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