Emir laments plight of flood victims in Lafiagi, Jebba
Emir of Lafiagi in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Saadu Kawu Haliru, has decried the deplorable condition of victims of flood in his communities.
The emir, while narrating the ordeal of the flood victims to the Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, who paid a visit to the area to commiserate with the victims, said many families had been sacked from their homes and their farm produce destroyed.
He called on the government to come to their rescue by providing shelter to the affected persons.
“We appeal to the government to relocate people in the flood-prone areas. This is important considering the prediction of heavy downpour in some states, with Kwara as one of them.
“This has been a yearly occurrence in my communities and I want to appeal to government at all levels, to please come to our assistance by relocating the people in flood-prone areas to highland areas permanently,” he appealed.
The deputy governor assured the royal father and the flood victims of government’s support. “We are here to express our sympathy to your royal highness and all the victims of the flood disaster. We are assuring you of government support soonest,” he said.
Meanwhile, more than 2,500 people were displaced from their homes by flood in Jebba communities. The flood was as a result of the recent heavy rain in Jebba and Moro local government areas.
While on an on the spot assessment visit to the affected communities, the Deputy House Leader, Hon. John Olanrewaju Bello, assured the victims of government’s intervention.
He said Governor AbduRazaq has promised to intervene and bring relief to them.
He said plans were underway by the state government to evacuate the victims from the affected areas to a safer place pending when the rain would cease.
One of the victims at Chewuru village in Lafiagi, who is also head of the community, Saliu Umoru, said they were ready to relocate to highland area where they would have peace and turn their indigenous community into farmland.
“We are appealing to government and all our representatives within the government to come to our rescue by providing another home for us,” he urged.