Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, on Tuesday, said between N5 billion and N10 billion might have been lost to the recent flood disaster that affected his State.
Governor AbdulRazaq said this after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, where he requested for the federal government support to ameliorate the sufferings of the flood victims.
- NEMA predicts more flooding in Imo, tasks govt on disaster mitigation
- Flood: President Buhari to review loan burden on Kebbi farmers
The governor said the flood, which affected the state capital, Ilorin, the Kwara North, and the bank of River Niger, submerged about 5,000 houses and thousands of hectares of farmland.
AbdulRazaq, who said close to about 10,000 to 15,000 people had been displaced so far, stated that the federal government was coming to assist his State.
He said the state needed the federal support because the incident was straining the economy.
The governor, while speaking on the reason for his visit to President Buhari, said: “I came to the President, among other things, to discuss ecological and developmental issues.
“And over the weekend, we had huge rainstorm that destroyed about 5,000 houses in the State capital.
“We had huge flooding in Kwara North and the bank of River Niger.
“There are a lot of internally displaced people at the bank of River Niger and in the State capital.
‘The State needs virtual aid to abate the crisis.”
While speaking on the extent of damage, he said: “We have about 5,000 houses and thousands of hectares of farmland are under water.
“Close to about 10,000 to 15,000 people are already displaced so far.
“So, it’s straining the State’s economy. That is why we need virtual aid.”
When asked about the response from the President, Governor AbdulRazaq said: “Very proactive, the Federal Government is coming in to assist the State.
“The new General Manager (GM) at National Emergence Agency (NEMA) is also coming to Kwara to see the situation for himself.
“Already, NEMA is on ground in Kwara.
“He promised that the cycle will be shorter this time around.
“Before, after flooding, it will take up to six months before the aid comes in.
“But he has promised that things have been turned around at NEMA and they will act promptly.
“I believe him because he is an ex-Airforce officer. It will be regimented.”
The governor of Kwara State, while reacting to a question that sought to know the efforts his government had made, said: “Immediately it started, we have NEMA on ground and State Emergency Management Agency.
“The first thing you do is to collate data.
“We have been collating data.
“And from today [Tuesday], palliatives have started going out.
“We also thank God because of some of food donated by CACOVID to Kwara State.
“Some of them are in the warehouse.
“So, they are very handful and useful in what we are doing.”
When asked whether the flooding had affected food security in his State, Governor AbdulRazaq said: “Luckily for us, we did two cycles of rice farming in the area affected.
“We are hoping to do three cycles.
“Yes, there is huge impact.
‘We are expecting bumper harvest this season, especially with Federal Government’s intervention in the agricultural sector.
“But unfortunately, we are going to lose this harvest and we hope we will be able to gain ground.
‘We also thank Federal Government as they gave 10,000 Hectares Irrigation Scheme to boost our dry season farming.
‘That project is on course now.”
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
