N20B Needed for Flood Disaster Remediation in Sokoto State – Tambuwal.

Gbolahan Salman Sokoto

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has revealed that the state government needs more than N20 billion to fix the damages caused by this year’s flood disaster.

This according to him comprises of N15 billion required to construct roads and bridges, washed away by the flood and over N5 billion needed for intervention to victims, most of them farmers, as remedy to mitigate their sufferings.

The Governor said the cost implication of the damages caused on roads, bridges by the flood exclude that of damages done to  primary health centers, clinics, dispensaries and other structures.

According to a statement signed by his special adviser on media and publicity, Muhammad Bello, and released to journalist in the state on Tuesday.

Bello said the governor was speaking while receiving a report from the Dr Muhammad Jabbi Kilgori-led  special committee on flood disaster management held at the council chamber of Government House, Sokoto.

it will be recalled that the committe set up about a month ago was mandated by the state government  to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the magnitude and impact of this year’s flooding, to source data on the damages wrought on farmlands and livestock as well as recommend ways forward to assist farmers to mitigate the suffering.

Meanwhile, Governor Tambuwal said his administration will act promptly on the implementation of the the recommendations of the Kilgori Committee by immediately mobilizing resources.

He thanked the chairman and members of the committee for their commitment, hard work and completion of the job successfully.

Earlier in his address the chairman of the committee Dr. Kilgori, said the committee swung into action after its inauguration by forming a technical team in each of the three senatorial zones in the state.

He said in each of the affected areas the team interacted with community leaders, farmers affected, traditional rulers, and also inspected the flood affected areas, thus generating comprehensive data on the damages.

Dr Kilgori said over 24,300 hectares was washed away by the flood affecting over 14,000 farming families, which include  farmlands, livestocks, fisheries and other resources.

Among the interventions recommended by the committee to remedy the situation are: procurement of fertilizer, pecticides, water pumping machines, seedling, sprayers among other farming inputs as well as other recommendations that will address  the causes and recurrence of the flood disaster.

The chairman expressed appreciation to the state government for appointing them to serve in the committee.