On Yobe’s annual flooding

Whoever is living in Yobe State must have witnessed a deluge of flood caused by a torrential rainfall at Ngelzarma, a town in Fune Local Government Area and some other parts of the state, a couple of years ago. In the previous year, the state also experienced it in both ancient and suburb areas of Potiskum town and its neighbouring villages as well.

Earlier this year, it happened in Gombe-Potiskum highway near Fika town. And today the narrative remains unchanged!

Since then, the Yobe state Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA) led by Dr. Mohammed Goje, has been doing a lot to show compassion to the flood victims. And the management needs to be commended for that effort. But, we need to understand that this sympathy is not enough.

As we all know, it’s a duty of state governments to ensure provision of road, drainage and bridge in every nook and cranny of the state not just to the capital city. But unfortunately, the government seems unaware of the conditions of infrastructural needs in other parts of the state.

In this regard, the government must wake up from this long slumber and comprehend that the masses are not longer unaware of their fundamental rights and the responsibilities of government as well.

A report by YOSEMA confirmed that, between August 16 and 21, about 400 houses lost roofs and many buildings collapsed, in just a local government in Potiskum. I suggest that government should focus more on the provision of roads with drainage and bridges in the suburb as well as in the towns to allow easy flow of water.

Ali Tijjani Hassan, Potiskum.

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