Metro

29 killed, 321,000 houses, 858,000 hectares of farmlands destroyed by flood in Nigeria’s Kebbi state

Published

2 weeks ago

September 28, 2024

No fewer than 29 people have been confirmed killed, with over 329,000 houses destroyed, leaving thousands of residents displaced in a devastating flood that engulfed Kebbi State in north eastern Nigeria.

The State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Birnin Kebbi, who made the confirmation at a press conference on Friday, stated that the ravaging flood also submerged 858,000 hectares of farmland, wiping out key crops such as rice, millet, sorghum, and beans, sparking fears of an impending food crisis.

Kebbi said the state government was presently struggling to manage the aftermath of the flood as the scope of the disaster had overwhelmed local resources.

He noted that the State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris’s administration had done its best to assist those affected by the disaster, though the magnitude of the flood demanded more help from interventionist agencies.

He added that the state government had compiled a report on the flood’s impact, which would be submitted to federal agencies in a bid to secure more aid.

“Many of the people have lost their means of livelihood, the disaster has forced farmers into penury, shortage of food looms on the horizon, and our food security target is in jeopardy unless urgent measures are put in place to remedy the situation,” the Commissioner said.

“The Kebbi Government will provide improved seeds and other agricultural input to farmers to return to cultivation, but more is needed.

“Preliminary statistics show that seven persons died in Ngaski, eight in Maiyama, five in Kalgo, seven in Jega, and two in Birnin Kebbi, as a result of the flooding.

He however lamented the fact that the federal government and lawmakers from the state have not done much by way of assistance, adding that he was not aware of a N3 billion grant for flood mitigation from the Nigerian government as being insinuated.

“I am also surprised that members from Kebbi State in the National Assembly, including Senators, are yet to visit the areas ravaged by flooding to offer the necessary assistance and sympathy,” he emphasized.

Related Topics:Featured Flooding Kebbi State Nigeria

Click to comment

Metro

All the choices we have made are for sustainable, inclusive growth— Tinubu

Published

1 hour ago

October 9, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that all the choices his administration has made since assuming office 17 months ago have been made to stop the country’s decline and put it on a path to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Tinubu, who made the assertion at the 54th Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja on Tuesday, said it was encouraging that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product growth for the first and second quarters of 2024 was positive, giving credence to his reforms and policies.

The president, who was represented by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, noted that it was gladdening that inflation was on a downward trend, and the foreign exchange market was stabilising, with encouraging investment signals.

“We are continuing with innovative reform measures: digitisation of revenue collection and government services, consumer credit system to boost manufacturing and enable access to goods and services,” Tinubu said in his address to the audience.

“Our reforms include removing punitive subsidies to the economy. Revenue bleeding has reduced, and the three tiers of government are receiving higher allocations, which enable more support to vulnerable populations.

“Social investment spending is increasing, the minimum wage has increased, student loans are available, and interventions to support NANO, MSME, farming, fishing, and the livestock sector have increased.

“Our collective vision for Nigeria’s future is anchored on strengthening our institutions and nurturing a pervasive culture of accountability,” he said.

He added that his government was committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to boost transparency and efficiency and cultivate strategic partnerships to pave the way for sustainable development.

Metro

10 Zambian miners confirmed dead, 20 feared trapped in Mumbwa mine tragedy

Published

19 hours ago

October 8, 2024

Isaac Dachen

At least 10 Zambian miners have been confirmed dead, with 20 others feared missing after the collapse of the Lwiili Mine located in the Mumbwa region.

The devastating accident, which was confirmed by the Member of Parliament representing Nangoma, Collins Nzovu, and the Zambia Police, was said to have occured on Monday.

Search efforts are ongoing to locate the missing miners.

“I regret to confirm a tragic mining accident at Lwiili Mine in Nangoma, where 20 lives are feared lost. As of now, nine bodies have been retrieved, with 10 confirmed dead,” Nzovu stated in a video posted on his official Facebook account.

He also stated that President Hakainde Hichilema and Vice President Mutale Nalumango had been informed of the incident and urged residents and the bereaved to remain calm.

The Central Province Police Chief, Charity Chanda, who also confirmed the incident in a statement, said five miners were also injured.

“An unknown number of people were conducting mining activities when the earth collapsed on them,” Chanda said.

He added that rescue teams recovered six injured miners, but one later died at Nangoma Mission Hospital.

The police chief also said bodies of the deceased have been taken to Mumbwa General Hospital Mortuary, while the injured are receiving treatment at Nangoma Mission Hospital.