Flood situation worsens in Niger, displaces 8,000 in Lapai

The flood situation has worsen in Lapai local government of Niger state with residents lamenting that over 8, 000 persons have been displaced, while four persons were said to have died between last Saturday and Monday (today). The National President of Kakanda Development Association, Alhaji Ismaila Abdullahi Sokun, had told Daily Trust on phone on […]

The flood situation has worsen in Lapai local government of Niger state with residents lamenting that over 8, 000 persons have been displaced, while four persons were said to have died between last Saturday and Monday (today).

The National President of Kakanda Development Association, Alhaji Ismaila Abdullahi Sokun, had told Daily Trust on phone on Monday that Lapai is witnessing immense humanitarian crisis, while calling for urgent interventions.

He said 35 communities are currently submerged, adding that natives who flee to uplands for safety sleep in the open without shelter and food.

He explained that the Association has to lead a delegation to the Government House in Minna where it interfaced with Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to find a way round the anomaly.

He said the Association has engaged the services of boats and canoes operators to evacuate stranded villagers to public facilities upland.

“We have met with the governor and came up with two sites in Kollo and Kuchi communities for permanent relocation of the people of the area as a permanent measures, while six centres have been earmarked as temporary abodes for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)”, he said.

According to him, arrangement has been concluded for the clearing of the six centres in Bina, Ebbo, Muye, Cheku, Yelwa and Gbachiku for the accommodation of the displaced persons, while Governor Bello has directed the purchase of relief items for the victims.

The Director General of Niger State Emergency Management (NSEMA) Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Inga said the figure of displaced persons could be more as the water level kept increasing by the day.

He said the Agency has been given executive directive to ensure that those affected by the flood do not suffer needlessly.

Daily Trust learnt that the recent release of water from both Jebba and Kainji dams further exacerbated the crisis in the local government which serves as confluence of many rivers.