Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state; has directed communities in Rivers Basins to relocate upland to prevent flooding and destruction of lives and property. According to him, the flood prone communities include Geidam, Garin Alkali, Wachakal, Jimbam, Jajimaji and a dozen settlements in the Nguru wetlands. While ordering the Ministries of Environment, Humanitarian Affairs; and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), he said: “They are to coordinate and liaise with the downstream community leaders to safer locations and prevent being flooded. The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) also alerted 30 states, including Yobe and Borno that their communities would be flooded at the peak of the rainy season in July and August.
He warned that the August rainfall could be higher than the July, 2021 precipitations along the major River Basins in the state “There would be heavy rainfall with massive floods that may destroy downstream communities,” he said, stating that the communities should make emergency arrangements to ensure the safety of our people this year. He therefore directed the Ministries and SEMA to work out a realistic and acceptable means of assisting the endangered communities. Priority, according to him, be accorded to communities sited along the River banks in the state.
On relocating the flood prone communities, he said: “The ministries and SEMA should work out comprehensive and proactive measures to ensure the safety of our people before the much anticipated floods. “They should also work out mutual agreements with the affected communities on the choice of locations as well as the mode of movement.” He assured that the State Government will provide the necessary support to ensure the safety of the flood prone communities. The governor also called on the communities to cooperate with the relevant agencies to provide the required support and assistance.
