Gombe and Jigawa States are bracing up for the protection of citizens from the effect of flooding in the two states.
The Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) released in January by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) showed that there might be worsening floods in some states in the country this year.
But Governor Inuwa Yahaya and Governor Umar Namadi of Gombe and Jigawa States respectively said on Tuesday that their states were preparing to ensure that the effect of flooding would not be much if it occurs.
Both Governors spoke to State House correspondents after meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
While pointing out that flooding is a “global and national phenomenon that is being felt elsewhere,” Governor Yahaya said that flooding in northern Nigeria is through the tributaries of the River Niger and River Benue.
He said; “If you talk of flood from the north, it is either through the tributaries of the Rivers Niger and Benue that link up at the confluence in Lokoja and then down to the Delta, ending in Bayelsa to the Atlantic Ocean.
“Those tributaries, as a result of the change in nature and geography, there is siltation, a lot of siltation, and also as a result of poor farming practices and deforestation, our forests and farms have now turned and given way for the desert. And those exacerbated siltation that takes place along the tributaries and the rivers.
“The problem of flooding is virtually a national issue now because of global warming and climate change is affecting all the globe and for that, we, are strategizing.”
Governor Yahaya said that his state was working to avoid a repeat of last year’s flood disaster.
“But in whatever we do, we have to be both proactive and reactive. We have not acted in the way that we solved all the problems of last year, and this year has started,” he said.
The Gombe Governor called for concerted efforts of all stakeholders to solve the problem of flood disasters.
Also speaking on the issue, Governor Namadi of Jigawa State said that his administration has set up a technical committee of experts that is looking at the issue.
He said; “In fact they have submitted a report and part of the report we have started implementing. We have bought two excavators and also Hadejia bought two excavators.
“As of today, we have been able to dredge a river of about 36 km and we have removed the typha grass.
“Part of the recommendations of the committee is that we should do some embankment in the flood flood-process.
“For now, we have done more than 85km of embankment with 2.5m height and 4m thickness. The people are happy because something is being done to salvage the situation.”
Security
The two Governors also spoke on the security situation in Gombe and Jigawa, which have witnessed peace despite the banditry and insurgency in neighbouring states.
Governor Yahaya said that the ethnic and religious make-up of Gombe State is the major reason the state has continued to enjoy tolerance and peace.
He said; “We are a mix of several ethnic groups and several religions joined together and living peacefully. So, within a family, you, could find people of different faiths but sharing the same parents.
“So, because of that, the background is so okay that they built on it and coordinate their relationships.”
The Governor said the peace in the state is a result of the efforts of the government and security agencies to ensure compliance of the people with law and order.
“There is compliance to a reasonable extent in that way, but there are issues that have to do with resources, especially the land resource because our people are peasant farmers.
“Farming includes those who are involved in crop production and livestock. So, in between, because of the encroachment of our grazing reserves, forest reserves and even the cattle routes, issues have started to spring up.
“And those issues are the ones that have catapulted to result into rustling, banditry and kidnapping for ransom, which is very prevalent in the northwest and the north north-central, at the moment we are focusing on doing that, maintaining the peace and providing for each and everybody; and eacheverytor in a way that we understand and to cooperate with one another so that as you do unto yourself, you do same to the other person for to obtain and tranquillity in the state,” he explained.
Governor Yahaya, who is also the Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum, said he would work to get at the root of the problems through the various state governments including the Nigerian government.
Speaking in the same vein, Governor Namadi said he would work to sustain the peace and security in Jigawa State.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
