By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu has disclosed that efforts are on top gear to assist flood victims across the state.

He also disclosed that concrete arrangements are on-going to commence dry season farming to augment the colossal losses caused by the devastating flood disasters in the state.

The governor announced a robust dry season farming scheme which would involve all the local government areas in order to speedily regain the losses incurred as a result of the flood.

Governor Bagudu spoke in Birnin Kebbi, Saturday, during a Stakeholders Meeting on the menace of flood and insecurity in some parts of Zuru Emirate.

He lamented that the 2020 flood and rainfall had greatly surpassed the earlier predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and related weather prediction agencies.

According to the governor, the unprecedented flood disasters had regrettably resulted in the massive losses of farmlands, houses and other infrastructure across the entire state.

He, however, noted that the rapid responses by the state and federal governments, as well as their agencies, had remarkably mitigated the negative impact of the rampaging flood disasters.

The Kebbi Governor further extolled the spirit of comradeship shown by the people of the state to the victims. He also expressed gratitude with the assistance to the victims from well-meaning individuals such as the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, and business mogul, Abdussamad Isyaku Rabiu, among others.

On insecurity, Bagudu regretted that Kebbi State, which he described as still one of the most peaceful states in the country, “is now witnessing some pockets of threats against lives and properties of innocent citizens, especially in Zuru Emirate.”

He said that indigenes of the state who were hitherto engaged in farming activities in parts of Dansadau area, Zamfara State, had returned to the state, mostly in Zuru Emirate.

Bagudu lamented: “They came back with tales of woes and this ugly situation led to the springing up of self help security groups, Yan Sakai, apparently for self defense or revenge.

“This obnoxious situation aggravated the security situation. For instance recently, the District Head of Bajida was brutally murdered.

“Also, just yesterday when a meeting was going on to select his replacement, a group of Yan Sakai stormed the meeting, uninvited and threatened to kill everybody if their nominee was not selected.”

The governor categorically warned communities in the state against taking the laws into their hands, as well as creating militias.

Bagudu vowed to sustain the feat achieved by the state of being the hub of food production in Nigeria, just as it is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.

He further warned that the State Government would not fold its arms and allow miscreants and enemies of peace, as well as progress to rob the state of its hard earned status.

The governor extolled the contributions of all the security agencies, traditional and religious groups and other critical stakeholders in facilitating peace and unity.

In his closing remarks, governor Bagudu thanked all the stakeholders especially, the emirs, religious, community leaders, politicians, government officials, youth and women groups, NGOs, security and the media for taking part in the meeting.

According to him also the town hall meeting had afforded an opportunity for both the government to cross fertilise ideas and suggestions on the way forward.

Bagudu opined that everybody including non-governmental organisations have a collective responsibility to monitor and formidably partake to ensure relief assistance reached the affected flood victims and not diverted.

He also regretted that flooding has devastated over 600 kilometers of farmlands destroying crops, fishing grounds, livestock, houses as well as government infrastructure such as roads, bridges and buildings across the state.

He assured all the stakeholders that Kebbi would by the Grace of God surmount its challenges and become great again.

Stakeholders at the meeting including the Emirs, religious leaders ,politicians, women and youth groups as well as NGOs and Civil Society Organizations gave formidable contribution and suggestions on the way forward with regards to flood situation and the security challenges facing Zuru Emirate.

The town hall stakeholders meeting was attended among others the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammadu Mera, the Wazirin Gwandu, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar who represented the emir of Gwandu, representatives of Emirs of Yauri and Zuru, District Heads and religious leaders.

Others were the Chief of Staff Government House, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammed Argungu (Jarman Kabi), SSG, Babale Umar Yauri, Justice Suleiman Muhammad Ambursa, the State Chief Judge and Attorney General, Commissioners, Special Advisers, NGOs, CSOs, Youth and Women groups among others.

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