Flood:Kebbi Govt Sets Up 16-Man Committee To Distribute Palliatives, Prevent Future Occurence
From Ayodele Ajoge, Birnin-Kebbi
Kebbi State Executive Council has adopted the setting of a 16-man committee to provide immediate relief to affected victims of flood and to lessen the effect of an impending flood likely to affect some local government areas of the state according to NIMET prediction.
This is the major outcome of the weekly meeting of the Council held in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, which was presided over by the State Governor, Nasiru Idris.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmad Birnin Kebbi, who briefed newsmen after the meeting, said the governor ordered for immediate proactive measures to forestall unfortunate consequences.
“We are aware about the enormous devastation caused by flooding elsewhere, we have seen what occurred, although it is a forecast, we cannot afford to be complacent, we have to act instantaneous.
“We comprehend the warning from NEMA of impending further flooding from waters outside Nigeria that would hit Kebbi, this is the essence of the setting up of the high powered committee under the Chairmanship of the deputy Governor, Sen. Umar Abubakar Tafida to go into action.
“We are at alert of the warning that from Central Guinea, Futa Jalon Highland Region, the River Senegal, the River Gambiya and the River Niger, could be the source of water to flow into other countries including Nigeria.
“The prediction indicates that Kebbi will be the first on the firing line with Bunza likely to suffer the most impact”, the Commissioner announced.
Alhaji Yakubu Ahmad explained that the committee has swung into action, and would on Thursday, hold consultations with Local Government Chairmen of areas envisaged to be flooded who would return to their localities to interact with traditional rulers on the matter.
“The Committee has been given the task of identifying sources of the impending flood, communities to be affected, liaise with Religious and Community leaders to enable the government lessen the difficulties therein, and if necessity warrants, evacuate endangered communities to higher ground.
“The government would do the needful to ensure safety in all communities, we want to stay safe in Kebbi”, he emphasised.
Members of the panels are the Commissioners for Information and Culture, Humanitarian Affairs and Empowerment, Water Resources, Higher Education, Religious Affairs, Special Duties, Environment and Health.
Others include Finance, Women Affairs, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Youths and Sports Development, Works as well as the Chairman, Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA.
