Flood caused by the torrential rainfall has displaced 1000 families, destroyed 60,000 farmlands and 500 houses in the Jama’are Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
A member representing Jam’are Constituency at the state House of Assembly, Saleh Muhammad, who made the revelation during plenary session, also said five persons lost their lives during a boat accident in the community.
Abdul Burra, the spokesperson for the Speaker of the House, Abubakar Sulaiman, who confirmed the development to our correspondent, said Muhammad did not state how or when the incident happened.
Leading debate on the motion, he said the lawmaker lamented the devastation caused by floods in the local government, revealing that no fewer than 500 houses were destroyed and about 1,000 families had been displaced.
Burra also stated that the lawmaker said the displaced families were now taking shelter in schools, government buildings, mosques and neighbouring villages, adding that 60,000 hectares of farmlands of various crops valued at several millions of naira were destroyed during the incident.
He explained that Muhammad called on the House to urge the state government to come to the aid of the victims of the flood that devastated Jama’are and its surroundings.
The lawmaker was quoted to have said, “Jama’are town and its surrounding villages had been hit by a very devastating flood that rendered several people homeless. The flood is estimated to have destroyed over 500 houses and displaced about 1,000 families. It also ravaged more than 60,000 hectares of farmlands and destroyed farm produce estimated at several hundreds of millions of naira.
“It is disheartening to inform you that, hundreds of houses and several hectares of farmlands of the following villages were destroyed by the recent flooding and their residents are currently seeking shelter at public schools, government buildings, mosques and neighboring villages in Yola, Dakodako, Gongo, Gilar, Sabongari, Jogayel, Jabbori, Bodinga, Guda, among others, are disconnected in Jama’are town, amongst others.
“These villages have been disconnected from Jama’are town, there is no access road leading to the local government headquarters, all the culverts have been broken down, eroded and taken away by the flood. Equally, no fewer than five persons reportedly lost their lives when a canoe capsized as a result of heavy rains and windstorm in Jama’are town. The flood damaged countless infrastructures and cut many roads.
Burra said the lawmaker explained that Jama’are LGA had been experiencing annual flooding during the rainy season, adding that the town was vulnerable to flooding due to the presence of a river in the area.
“He urged the lawmakers to resolve that the state government should come to the aid of the people of Jama’are Constituency,” he said.
Responding, the Speaker who presided over the plenary said the motion required no further debate since members of the house had already discussed similar matters on flooding. The Honourable House unanimously adopted the motion.
