AS Nigerians continue to lament the severe impact of flooding across the country, the Federal Government yesterday disclosed that the disaster has so far killed over 603 persons, displaced 1,302,589 persons and destroyed over 108,393 hectares of farmlands across the country.
Similarly, the government disclosed that the disaster injured 2,407 persons, partially damaged 121,318 houses, totally damaged 82,053 houses, partially damaged 108,392 hectares of farmlands and totally damaged 332,327 hectares of farmlands, all across Nigeria.
Disclosing the figures during a press conference in Abuja, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, warned of more devastating effects in Anambra, Cross Rivers, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa state and urged the respective state governments to relocate residents in flood prone areas to high grounds.
Expressing sadness over the loss of lives and destruction of property, the minister said, “The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development is concerned that despite all our efforts of averting the consequence of the 2022 flooding season, unfortunately we have recorded the loss of over 500 lives, partial or total damage of more than 90,000 houses, damage of more than 140, 000 hectares of farmland, so many roads and other infrastructures were also affected.”
Declare national emergency, Diri tells FG
Responding to the devastating impact of the flood in his state, Bayelsa state Governor, Douye Diri yesterday urged the Federal Government to declare a national emergency on the disaster.
Diri, who made the appeal at an emergency security council meeting in Yenagoa, said that the essence of the meeting was to brainstorm with heads of various security agencies to assess the situation holistically and seek ways to mitigate the impact of the natural disaster.
Diri in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah,, lamented the magnitude of this year’s flooding, which he noted had surpassed that of 2012.
His words: “This year’s flooding has surpassed that of 2012, which is the highest we have witnessed so far. It has become a security emergency. Bayelsa is below sea level and when the flood comes, virtually everywhere is flooded. Even the Government House is being threatened.”
“As we speak, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has called off its strike. But as universities are opening, our own state university cannot open because the only road linking the university has been broken into three parts.
“The only road that links Opokuma and Sabagreia in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area and the only one also connecting Sagbama to Ekeremor that is still under construction has been broken. There is hunger and palpable tension in the state.”
Ughelli/Asaba Expressway submerged
THE Ughelli/Asaba expressway has been submerged as the ravaging flood continued to wreak havoc in more across Delta state, rendering more families homeless.
As the time of filing this report, about seven different spots on the busy Ughelli/Asaba expressway has been cut off by the menacing flood.
Our Correspondent who visited the area, reports that the flood has cut off the road at Ellu, Aradhe, Obetim, Obikwele, Iselegu, Ossisa, before Nsukwa junction.
Some motorists who spoke to the Vanguard, said over eight cars have lost their engines, lamenting that the flood has made the road near impassable.
Also, more families have been rendered homeless and thrown into hardship as mores houses have been submerged in Asaba, Kwale, Ughelli, Aboh and Isoko axis by the flood.
Everydaynews
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