Kebbi: Flood committee begins statewide assessment of damaged infrastructure

The Committee constituted by the Executive Governor of Kebbi, Comrade (Dr) Nasir Idris, to assess infrastructural damages caused by recent flood has commenced its assignment across the state.

The high-powered flood committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Works, Hon. Engr. Abdullahi Umar Faruq (Muslim) comprises representatives of key ministries and agencies.

Its task is to inspect, document, and evaluate the extent of destruction, identify priority areas, estimate the cost of repairs, and recommend preventive measures against future disasters.

ALSO READ: How to relocate people living in flood-prone locations — Ayinde

On its first day of work, the Committee visited four local government areas: Birnin Kebbi (Makera/Kangiwa Road), Bunza (Bunza/Natsini Road and Maidahini/Bunza Road), Dandi (Fana/Dakingari Road), and Aljannare in Suru Local Government Area.

The visit was to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the level of destruction to property and farmland.

Speaking on behalf of the Committee at Fana in Dandi Local Government Area, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Hon. Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi, described the situation as dire..

He said major bridges have completely collapsed, with farmlands submerged, almost cutting off Kebbi State from other parts of the country.

He further warned that the destruction would negatively affect food production and the supply chain across the nation.

According to him, farmlands, roads, and bridges were either damaged or washed away, preventing the transportation of food to markets, thereby threatening the country’s food chain, as Kebbi remains the major food basket of Nigeria.

“The implications are enormous. Very critical bridges across the state have been entirely washed away, cutting off communities and threatening the food supply chain.

This is beyond damage; it is total collapse in many locations,” he stressed, calling for urgent intervention from the Federal Government and international organizations.

At Fana, the District Head, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Fana, appreciated the Governor for promptly dispatching the Committee.

He lamented that the town was cut off by the flood, saying that he led his people to create a temporary passage for pedestrians and light vehicles.

The Vice Chairman of Dandi Local Government, Hon. Isah Buma, also expressed gratitude to Governor Nasir Idris for donating N50 million and a consignment of rice as interim relief to people affected by the flood disaster.

Earlier, at Makera/Kangiwa Road, the Director of the Civil Engineering Department, Ministry of Works, Alhaji Sahabi Muhammad Tilli, explained that growing economic activities and population pressures, in addition to natural causes, could have exacerbated the flooding leading to the collapse of infrastructure.

Other members of the Committee are the Commissioner of Information, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi; Commissioner of Special Duties, Alhaji Zaiyanu Aliero; Special Adviser on Due Process, Alhaji Sirajo Garba Bagudo; Special Adviser on Power/Politics, Alhaji Kabiru Sani (Giant); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Arch. Saad Sakaba, Chairman of SEMA, Alhaji Bello Yakubu (Rilisco), and Director of Civil Engineering, Ministry of Works, Alhaji Sahabi Muhammad Tilli, who serves as Secretary.