…as steps are being taken to address seasonal floods
Both the Federal and the Nasarawa State Governments, have distributed relief materials worth millions of naira to victims of recent floods in Loko Development Area of Nasarawa State.
Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Sule handed the relief materials for onward distribution to the victims, at a ceremony in Loko, on Thursday.
Presenting the relief materials, Engineer Sule said both the Federal and Nasarawa State Governments, found it necessary to come to the aid of the people affected by the recent flood through the distribution of relief materials to alleviate their plight.
This is just as the Governor said steps are being taken to address the root cause of the seasonal floods ravaging not only Nasarawa State but across the country.
According to Engineer Sule, governors have resolved to meet President Muhammadu Buhari, with a view to appealing to him to consider approaching Cameroon in order to tackle the perennial release of water from dams which leads to floodings in Nigeria.
He said the governors will also talk to the President on the need to dredge local rivers to allow smooth flow of water.
While commiserating with the flood victims in Loko, Engineer Sule expressed appreciation that there was no lives lost during the incidence.
He equally appreciated the Nasarawa Local Government Chairman, Loko Development Area Overseer and the Mai Loko, for coming to the rescue of the flood victims.
Aside of the relief materials, the Governor announced a personal donation of N6m, with N5m to be shared among the victims of the flood, while the remaining one million to be shared among women, elders and youths.
Earlier, in his address, Chairman, Nasarawa Local Government Area, Hon. Mohammed Sani Ottoz, thanked the Governor for coming to the rescue of the people of the area affected by the recent flood.
Hon. Ottoz said the visit by the Governor to sympathize and commiserate with the victims, as well as bring them succour in the form of relief materials, is a demonstration of the love Engineer Sule has for the people.
The council chairman however appealed for more intervention as the impact of the flood was devastating.
“Considering the level of destruction of houses and farm lands, which were washed away along with farm produce, I wish to call on His Excellency to come to the rescue of the victims. Their loses are much. Supporting them will by no small measure bring them back to life and further strengthen their confidence and support in the administration,” he stated.
He specifically thanked the Governor for always coming to the rescue of the people like he did in recent floods in Laminga, Nasarawa, Ara and other places.
In a welcome address, Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), Barrister Zachary Alumaga, disclosed that the recent flood incidence affected five local government areas in Nasarawa State namely Awe, Doma, Nasarawa, Toto and Lafia.
Represented at the event by the Director, Finance and Account of the agency, Mr Isa Hada, Barrister Alumaga said already government has reached out to victims of the flood in Tunga, Awe Local Government Area and Rukubi in Doma Local Government Area.
He called on the beneficiaries to utilize the items judiciously.
Items donated by the Federal Government to be distributed to the victims include 225 mattresses, 570 mosquito nets, 435 blankets, 435 towels, 435 plastic mats, 435 wrappers for women, 435 buckets, 435 plastic plates, 435 cups, 435 spoons, 57 packs of diapers for nursing mothers, 33 cartons of soap, 33 cartons of detergent, 57 units of cooking utensils, 330 pieces of men’s clothing, 435 pieces of children’s clothing and 435 pieces of women clothing.
On her part, Nasarawa State donated food items including 57 bags each of beans, rice and maize, 25 bags of millet, 33 bags of guinea corn, 17 bags of sugar and 33 bags of garri.
