Gov Bello seeks FG intervention on Niger flood

Niger Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has said over 100 communities in Mokwa, Lavun, Edati, Katcha, Agaie and Lapai local government areas of the state have been sacked and submerged by flood from the tributaries of Rivers Niger and Kaduna.
The governor revealed this in Muye, Lapai local government area of the state shortly after conducting an aerial view of affected communities, saying a permanent solution must be sought to avoid further calamities.
Sani-Bello said the situation has gone beyond the capacity of the state and called for federal government intervention.
“What I saw today is very devastating.
On a rough estimate, more than a 100 communities have been submerged in water and it doesn’t appear that water is receding.
That we have not seen the end of it, is very disturbing.
The situation is definitely getting out of hand and it is beyond what the state can do,” he said.
He stated that the state government on its own part would ensure the provision of relief materials and the relocation of the victims from the area.
“This flood starts all the way from Kede, towards Muregi and down to Muye along the river bank.
So definitely at this point, we will have to seek for the support of the federal government and that is exactly what we are going to do.
The governor had earlier directed release of N60 million for provision of relief materials.
Gov Sani-Bello who flew round the affected areas in Police helicop- ter, was accompanied by his Deputy, Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed Ketso, Chief of Staff, Hon Mikhail Almin Bmitosahi, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe, Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Ji- brin Amin, Special Adviser, Special Duties, Alhaji Umar Alkaliand Director General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Ibrahim Inga.