The Niger State Government has directed communities recently ravaged by flood along the plains of River Niger be relocated immediately as a temporary measure.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello gave the directive on Sunday when he visited Guza village, one of the communities affected by flood in Edati Local Government Area.
Some communities in four wards of Edati and Mokwa local government areas of the state were ravaged by flood recently.
The governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency to ensure the affected communities were taken to safe areas as reports indicated that the water level would continue to rise.
He assured the villagers that the government would provide relief materials and medicines to ameliorate their pains and check the outbreak of diseases.
The governor directed the agencies with the responsibility to relocate victims to ensure immediate compliance with the directive, adding that government would not tolerate any laxity.
He commended the proactive steps taken by NSEMA, which helped in averting casualties.
Bello added that government would soon find permanent solution to the problems of areas prone to flooding.
Responding, a victim of the flood, Malam Hassan Sonfada, thanked the governor for visiting and sympathising with the people.
Sonfada said: “We thank the governor for visiting us to see our plight. The visit has reassured the people that the government is not only responsive but also responsible.
“We have resolved to cooperate with government in its efforts to relocate us upland.”
Thirty states were affected by floods in Nigeria in 2012 when water released from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon led to the overflow f River Niger and River Benue.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency and other relevant agencies have warned that 11 states, including Niger, will experience flooding as the rains intensify.
The agencies have advised that people living in such areas relocate to safer zones.
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