The Director-General of the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Ibrahim Kabir, has confirmed the death of three persons by flood which damaged 1,453 houses and several farmlands in Zaki and Gamawa local government areas.
Kabir stated this while briefing Governor Bala Mohammed when he paid a sympathy visit to the affected communities on Saturday in Zaki LGA.
He said after assessment of the damage caused by the heavy downpour on Wednesday, it was found to have killed three persons, and damaged 1,453 houses and unquantified farmlands in the two LGAs.
He said the flood also cut off roads linking the two LGAs with communities and some parts of the state in six places on the highway.
“As palliative measures, the communities need 14 canoes as means of transportation to cross the cut-off roads to continue their normal businesses,” he said.
Dr Kabir advised the communities to relocate to safer areas to guarantee their safety.
Gov. Mohammed commiserated with the communities over the deaths of three persons and the destruction of houses and farmlands in the two LGAs of Zaki and Gamawa.
He called for a collective effort in addressing the devastating effects of incessant flooding affecting communities across the state.
Mohammed, while inspecting the level of damages caused by the flood, said the communities were exposed to the dangers of flooding
He noted that annual losses of lives and property were being recorded in the state.
Mohammed lauded the Federal Government and World Bank for the interventions in other facets of development and infrastructure.
He, however, called on the Federal Government to assist the state in providing a permanent solution to the problem, and as well provide palliative to victims.
The Governor presented relief materials of two trucks of maize, drugs and medical consumables to Zaki and Gamawa local governments.
He also directed the SEMA to immediately procure 14 canoes to the affected communities and take inventory of the damage caused by the flood to enable the government to take further actions.
