Floods: 11 lives lost, 6,865 households affected in Niger

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has disclosed that a total of 11 people died as due to flooding in about five local governments of the state.

It stated that five lives were lost in Mokwa LGA, two each in Shiroro and Munya LGAs, and one each in Katcha and Rijau LGAs

NSEMA in a statement jointly released with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Minna Operations Office, signed by its Director General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, said so far flood has affected 529 communities in 19 out of the 25 local governments areas in the state.

The councils include Mokwa, Katcha Lavun, Lapai-, Agaie, Shiroro, Munya, Gbako and Kontagora.
Others are Bosso, Edati, Agwara Magama, Bida, Mashegu, Borgu Gurara, Suleja and Rijau.

Arah explained that a total of 41,192 people and 6865 households were affected by the floods.

“About 34 communities have been displaced and are now in Internally Displaced Peoples camp created by the Niger State Government with mostly of staying with neighbouring communities.

“In addition, 246 school infrastructure have been washed away, creating accommodation problems for pupils and students and their teachers.

“We can also report that as of September, this year, 18 bridges and 80 culverts have been destroyed by floods, causing communication problems for people in the affected areas,” he added.

The DG stated that the state may also be facing serious food shortages because the floods affected about 11,8692 hectares of farmlands, some of which had crops ready for harvests adding. “Over I600 fish ponds were also washed away,” he stated.

The statement added, “In line with the NIMET predictions, we are still expecting more rains, and therefore, flooding may still be with us, which is why we should not let down our guards especially with the overflowing of the various dams in the state and blocking of the waterways with refuse dumps”.

The statement equally disclosed that the Niger State Government has approved immediate procurement of food and other items for distribution to affected persons in the various councils.