Residents of Rafin Atiku Ward in Birnin Kebbi received a visit from the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, following devastating floods that destroyed several homes and properties in the area.
During his inspection on Tuesday, Senator Tafida assessed the extent of destruction caused by the disaster, which local residents attributed to torrential rainfall and blocked drainage channels. The flooding reportedly led to collapsed buildings and significant loss of food items, clothing, and household belongings across numerous homes.
Government Response to the Disaster
The Deputy Governor was accompanied by several top government officials during the visit, including the Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Bello Yakubu Rilisco; Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Musa Mohammad Tungulawa; and Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Comrade Nura Bala Fingilla.
Investigations revealed that the flooding was primarily caused by a major drainage in the ward being clogged with refuse, which resulted in gutters overflowing during the heavy downpour.
One of the affected residents, Malam Idris Abdulrahman, described the situation as devastating when speaking to journalists. "The water entered our house at night. We lost bags of grains, mattresses, and even some parts of the wall collapsed. This has never happened like this before," he said.
Immediate Actions Ordered
In response to the crisis, Senator Tafida directed the Ministry of Environment to work closely with relevant agencies to clear the blocked drainage channels and implement measures to prevent future occurrences. He also instructed SEMA to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the affected residents' needs and provide necessary support to help them recover from the disaster.
The flooding in Rafin Atiku Ward highlights the growing concerns about urban drainage systems and waste management in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns across Nigeria.
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