Inspite of the warnings by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency of imminent flooding in 2013, about 100 people have been displaced by flood in old Awuru and Fakun communities of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
It was gathered that the flood also submerged about 38 houses, two mosques, farm lands and the only market, leaving the affected people homeless.
Those displaced have been camped in the only primary school the two communities share.
The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Anthony Anuforum, had warned of imminent flooding in Niger, Bauchi, Kaduna, Plateau and Gombe States due to saturation of their soil moisture.
When spoken to, the leader of the displaced persons, Alhaji Sani Sodangi, confirmed that the State Government had provided land for them to relocate to, provided a hospital and bore hole there but they did not move because of their sources of livelihood.
Sodangi also stated that some people who are actual indigenes of the place have accepted to move but they decided to stay back because they came from Kebbi State to fish and since they were making profit, decided to stay back.
He added that they have lived there for more than 30 years, saying: “Nothing of that nature has happened to us before.
“But we are now willing to be relocated to the new Awuru.”
The Special Assistant to the Niger State Governor on Disaster and Emergency Management, Mohammed Shaba, who was on an assessment visit, said: “It was an unfortunate situation.
“I blame the people of the communities for their refusal to be relocated out of the flood prone areas.
“They gave some cultural beliefs and firmly holding on to them as reasons why they have refused to leave the area.”
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
