Over 10,000 people have been displaced, and farmlands as well as properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed by floods following several weeks of intense rainfall in Gummi Local Government Area, Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria.
The Emir of Gummi, Justice Hassan Lawal (retired), revealed this on Saturday during a visit by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, who came to assess the damage firsthand.
Governor Lawal visited both Gummi town and Gayari community to evaluate the extent of the flood’s impact. Justice Lawal provided a detailed report, stating that 10,291 households were affected by the flood.
He mentioned that experts believe a permanent solution is possible and that the governor would personally inspect the affected areas.
Governor Lawal expressed his sympathy for the victims and announced an immediate relief package, including N100 million in financial aid, the distribution of 10,000 bags of assorted grains, mosquito nets, and blankets.
He also pledged to address the long-term flood management challenges by constructing new drainage systems, repairing existing dams, and potentially building additional ones.
During his visit, Governor Lawal stated, “I am here in Gummi Local Government Area to offer my condolences and to personally assess the devastation caused by the recent heavy rainfall.”
He also confirmed the delivery of 10,000 bags of food supplies, including rice, maize, and millet, which were already en route to Gummi for distribution. Additionally, he promised that affected residents would be relocated to safer areas and provided with land to rebuild their homes.
Residents of Gummi expressed their gratitude for the governor’s visit, noting that it gave them hope in a time of crisis. One resident highlighted the dire situation, stating, “Two-thirds of the people in this community are now homeless because of the flood. The governor’s visit alone has given us hope.”
The Zamfara State Government has established a committee, led by elder statesman Alhaji Salihu Maibuhu Gumi, to oversee the distribution of relief materials and ensure that all affected individuals receive the necessary assistance.
Nearly 200 Dead
Meanwhile, flooding across Nigeria has claimed the lives of at least 179 people and displaced over 200,000, according to an emergency official on Thursday.
Most of the severe flooding has occurred in northern Nigeria, affecting approximately 107,600 hectares (265,885 acres) of farmland, as reported by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
While the majority of fatalities have occurred in the northern region, NEMA spokesman Ezekiel Manzo warned that central and southern Nigeria could face even more severe flooding as the rains intensify. He noted that the flow of water from the northern regions to the south could worsen the situation.
Communities along the Niger and Benue Rivers are at higher risk, and some areas previously not known to be flood-prone have been affected.
Flooding in Nigeria, often caused by heavy rains and inadequate infrastructure, has resulted in significant destruction in the past.
In 2012, over 360 people died, and more than 2.1 million were displaced. In 2022, the country experienced its worst floods in a decade, with over 500 deaths and 1.4 million people displaced.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that authorities will provide warnings to mitigate the impact of future environmental disasters.
NEMA officials have also mapped out plans to prevent a recurrence, emphasizing the urgency of the situation to ensure people are not caught off guard.
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