Niger Govt Releases N30m to Flood Victims

By Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Niger State Government has released over N30million to the state emergency management agency for the purchase of relief materials to victims of the recent flood disaster in parts of the state. 

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello who announced this when he paid an on-the-spot inspection to flood-affected areas at the weekend, blamed the heavy losses recorded as a result of the flood on non-adherence to building regulations.

“The recent collateral and financial losses as a result of the flood were mostly due to the non-adherence to urban development regulations as evident in indiscriminate building of structures without recourse to the law, especially on the flood or stream plain.

“All these losses incurred both in human and property would have been averted  if our people adhered strictly to urban development regulations.”

Bello also declared that “It was glaring that most of the affected areas were on the natural flood path, we have to desist from this unwholesome practice and obey simple laws that are meant for our good.”

He directed that the state road maintenance agency should provide alternative routes to the bridge washed off at Sabo Orehi in Lapai Local Government Area of the state.

The governor also directed that a new bridge be constructed within 40 days.

He paid a condolence visit on Abdullahi Saadu, the man who lost two wives and six children in last week’s flood in Suleja.