Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has appealed to the Federal Government to assist in the battle against ecological problems devastating eight councils in the state.
Governor Bello made the appeal when he visited some communities ravaged by flood in Lapai Local Government Area of the state where rainfall which lasted eight hours claimed four lives and sacked 23 villages and submerged their farm land.
The affected villages include Cheku, Lambata Kwaran, Cheppa, Alaba, Bina and Muye. Others are Ebbo, Egba, Gagbe, Tanna, Bazhi and Yelwa.
“Ecological problems such as flood and related challenges are capital intensive and enormous beyond the capability of the state, hence the call for the quick intervention of the Federal Government,”
Bello said.
He further explained: “Flood affected eight local government areas including, Lapai, Shiroro, Muyan, Gurara and Bida, Lavun, Wushishi, Mokwa and Borgu”, adding, “tackling flooding is just beyond the financial capability of the state government “.
The challenges the affected communities are facing range from sub-merging farm lands, washing away of houses, public schools, places of worship, farmlands, roads and bridges by flood and deep gully erosion.
He said, “Solution to the ecological devastation is beyond the state government. I have spoken to the President about our challenges and the need for Federal Government’s intervention. I am still going to reach out to the Federal Government for intervention in tackling future reoccurrence.
“However, as a government, we sympathize with the communities and we will give our support despite the lean resources of the state to reduce the hardship of our people. State Emergency Management Agency will come to the aid of the affected people.”
The development, according to the governor, has further strengthened the demand for the take-off of the Hydro-electric Power Producing Area Development Commission (HYPPADEC) to provide holistic solution to the perennial flooding devastating the affected communities.”
At Muye town, the governor directed the Lapai Local Government Chairman, Usman Achitupa, to ensure that people living by the banks of River Gurara are relocated upland to avoid further flood disaster from the over flowing river.
The Emir of Lapai, Alhaji Bago Tafida, who received Governor Bello commended the prompt attention accorded the victims by visiting the affected communities to sympathize with communities affected by the flood.
