Governor Sani Bello of Niger State has visited victims of flood in some parts of the state.
He has also directed the 25 communities badly affected by the perennial flooding along River Niger banks and its tributaries be immediately evacuated and temporarily resettled to upland.
Bello gave the directive when he visited Guza village, one of the communities submerged by flood in Edati Local Government Area and other three communities in Mokwa local government councils in the state.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) should act fast to ensure that the communities that affected are taken to safe haven as it was being reported that the water level would continue to rise as the rainy season climaxed.
Bello, while addressing some of the victims at Guza village, assured them of his administration’s support through the supply of basic needs such as; drugs, food and other relief materials to prevent outbreak of epidemic as a result of the flood.
While also directing the relevant authorities saddled with the responsibility of relocating the victims to ensure immediate compliance, Governor Bello however cautioned them against acts of laxity as he was ready to deal decisively with any officer found not complying.
Bello, who was accompanied on the visit by his Deputy, Ahmed Ketso, nevertheless, commended the prompt intervention of NSEMA to provide assistance to the victims, saying, “We are grateful to God that out of the over 25 communities affected no casualty is recorded”.
Empathizing with the agrarian communities over the loss of their source of livelihood as their hectares of rice, sugar cane and other food crops were submerged, Bello who prayed that Allah would provide for them at this their moments of want, expressed his administration’s plans to fashion out lasting solution to the areas prone to flooding.
On behalf of the victims, Hassan Umar Sonfada of Ketso village, expressed appreciation to the governor for the visit, saying it has reassured the affected communities that the government was not only responsive but also responsible in sharing with their pains.