FG Issues Flood Alert, Says 14 States May Record Heavy Rainfall

•Shettima Says FG”ll address challenge of flooding in Jigawa  

•Reiterates importance of peace for national development

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Ugo Aliogo in Lagos

The federal government of Nigeria has issued a flood alert, saying 14 states and 31 communities may witness heavy rainfall that could lead to flooding from July 4th to 8th.

The warning was contained in a statement by the Federal Ministry of Environment.

According to the statement, the states and communities were identified as Plateau (Langtang and Shendam); Kano (Sumaila, Tudun Wada); Sokoto (Shagari, Goronyo and Silame); and Delta (Okwe).

Others included Kaduna (Kachia); Akwa Ibom (Upenekang); Adamawa (Mubi, Demsa, Song, Mayo-Belwa, Jimeta, and Yola); and Katsina (Katsina, Jibia, Kaita and Bindawa).

Also listed in the flood alert were Kebbi (Wara, Yelwa and Gwandu); Zamfara (Shinkafi and Gummi); Borno (Briyel); Jigawa (Gwaram); Kwara (Jebba); Niger (Mashegu and Kontagora).

The government also urged relevant stakeholders within the states concerned to take precautionary measures to forestall the loss of lives and property.

The statement read: “The following locations and environs may witness heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding from 4th July – 8th July, 2023. Relevant stakeholders are advised to take precautionary measures to forestall loss of lives and property.”

Meanwhile, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, yesterday, said the issue of the incessant flooding being experienced in Jigawa State would soon be addressed because of its negative impact on agriculture and food production.

He also reiterated the importance of peace for achieving any meaningful development in the country.

 Shettima stated this yesterday, when a delegation of the Hadeija Emirate Council led by the Emir of Hadeija and Chairman of Jigawa State Traditional Council, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar Maje paid him a courtesy visit at the State House, Abuja.

Stressing the importance of peace for national development, the vice president further emphasised that peace was a major perquisite for national development, noting that Kano and Jigawa States have been largely peaceful and are “islands of peace in an unending ocean of poverty, insecurity and depravity.”

He commended the Hadeija Emirate Council for a strong support to the Tinubu/Shettima Adminstration observing that, “as at the time we went to Hadeija, we were not in power and His Royal Highness was unequivocal in his support to us.  It was a huge support and was anchored on the fact that our team was the best for the nation.”

Shettima who lauded the Hadeija Emirate for its developmental strides, disclosed that, “when I travelled from Kano to Hadeija, it was one of my happiest moment.  I saw development coming up, I saw universities springing up, I saw a rice mill by Aliko Dangote, I saw so many development efforts.”

 “I want to convey to you the message from President Bola Tinubu that the challenges of the place will be adequately captured in the next budget”, he stated.

 Commenting on the high capacity of the State for wheat production, Shettima said, “in the next programme, we want to cultivate a minimum of 100,000 hectares in the wheat belt, so nearly 50,000 hectares will be devoted to Jigawa State as it is one of the few states which grow wheat in the belt comprising Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Yobe and to Borno.  I think Jigawa is our food basket.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Emir of Hadeija congratulated President Bola Tinubu and the Vice President on their successful inauguration and promised their continued support for the government.

While thanking the Vice President for the appointment of one of their sons as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, he prayed God’s guidance and direction for the new Administration.