Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi on Tuesday donated N50 million to victims of flood disaster in Jigawa.
Bagudu announced the donation when he paid a sympathy visit to his Jigawa counterpart, Muhammad Badaru, to commiserate with the government and the people of the state.
He said he was in the state to commiserate with the government and the people of the state over the large scale destruction of farmlands, houses, lives and property by the disaster.
“I am here to commiserate with Jigawa government and good people of the state over the deaths as a result of flood.
“We also sympathise with farmers, pastoralists and the fishing communities,” Bagudu said.
Responding, Badaru commended the gesture, adding that the relationship between the two states had been beneficial.
The governor said that his administration was working with experts from the Netherland to find a lasting solution to the perennial flooding in the state.
He said that Jigawa was one of the major food producers in the country, noting that frequent flooding had been threatening its agricultural output and other potentials.
“It is well know fact that Jigawa state is one of the major food producers in the country with the citizens largely engaged in farming activities.
“However, the frequent incidents of flooding have continued to threaten our output and potentials.
“Our administration has taken note of this and is working with stakeholders towards finding solution to the perennial flood,” he said.
Badaru said that the state had in the last seven years inaugurated a standing technical committee on flood that has been meeting with experts in Netherland, which he described as the best country in tackling flooding.
According to him, the experts will visit the state in November with a view to finalise and offer suggestions on how to curtail the recurring disaster.
“The experts will be coming next month to finalise on mitigation measures to be taken.
“My administration will not commit resources until we are sure of the effectiveness of what we designed and what we need to do to mitigate flooding,” he said.
The governor said the state government would also inaugurate a committee to harmonise donations received for victims of the disaster.
He said, “the committee will harmonise all donations received and provide ways on how to disburse the donations to deserving victims.
“And we will continue to ask our good friends to support our people, particularly flood victims”. (NAN)