In Zamfara State, more than 10,000 people have been left homeless after several weeks of intense rainfall led to floods in the Gummi Local Government Area.
Farmlands and properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed, leaving the community in dire straits.
The Emir of Gummi, Justice Hassan Lawal (retired), revealed the extent of the disaster on Saturday during a visit by Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal.
The governor traveled to Gummi town and the nearby Gayari community to assess the damage firsthand.
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Justice Lawal, in his briefing, provided a breakdown of the situation, stating that 10,291 households were affected. He expressed hope for a permanent solution, noting that experts believe such an outcome is possible if the government is ready to find a lasting solution.
Governor Lawal expressed deep sympathy for the victims and immediately announced a relief package.
The state government pledged N100 million in financial support, along with 10,000 bags of assorted grains, mosquito nets, and blankets for distribution among the affected families.
The governor emphasized his commitment to addressing long-term flood management by planning the construction of new drainage systems, repairing existing dams, and potentially building additional ones.
During his visit, Governor Lawal stated, “Today, I am in Gummi Local Government Area to offer my condolences and conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the communities devastated by flooding caused by heavy rainfall last week. I have donated 10,000 bags of food, including rice, maize, and millet, to be distributed among the flood victims. The trucks are already on the way to Gummi for distribution.
I am also, on behalf of the Zamfara State Government, supporting the affected victims with N100 million. All affected victims will be allocated lands away from the danger zone so they can build new houses.”
The governor’s visit, following the dispatch of three delegations earlier, was met with gratitude from Gummi residents.
The resident expressed their appreciation, saying, “We are happy to see the governor visit us. This shows he cares for us. Two-thirds of the people in this community are now homeless because of the flood. For the governor to come and see the situation, that alone has given us hope. Some are taking shelter in government buildings, some are in primary schools, some secondary schools, and some are in petrol stations.”
In response to the crisis, the state government has established a committee, led by elder statesman Alhaji Salihu Maibuhu Gumi, to oversee the fair distribution of relief materials and ensure that all affected individuals receive the necessary assistance.
The floods in Zamfara are part of a broader national crisis, with at least 179 people dead and over 200,000 displaced across Nigeria, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Most of the serious flooding has occurred in the northern regions of the country, affecting over 107,600 hectares of farmland.
NEMA officials warn that the central and southern regions of Nigeria could face even worse flooding as the rainy season intensifies.
NEMA spokesman Ezekiel Manzo highlighted the risks facing communities along major rivers like the Niger and Benue, and urged for swift action to prevent further tragedies. He noted, “The collection of water from the northern part flowing downward will also mean that the situation being witnessed in the central and southern parts of the country will become worse.”
Flooding, often driven by heavy rains and inadequate infrastructure, has caused significant destruction in Nigeria over the years.
In 2022, the country experienced its worst flooding in a decade, with over 500 people losing their lives and 1.4 million displaced.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the government will provide timely warnings to help minimize the damage from future environmental disasters. NEMA’s Manzo emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We don’t have time to waste any longer so people will not be caught unaware.”
