The Bauchi State Executive Council has confirmed that people have lost their lives due to persistent flooding.
Property worth billions of Naira has been destroyed in 16 local government areas of the state.
On Monday, September 9, the council announced the formation of an inter-ministerial committee to assess the damage caused by the floods.
Humanitarian Affairs Report On Bauchi Flooding
After the council’s meeting, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajara Wanka, provided details to journalists.
She noted that the ministry was still compiling its report, but highlighted that preliminary finding showed significant impacts.
According to her, “24 people have lost their lives, 163 have been injured, and 16 local government areas have been affected.
“Sixty culverts have been washed away, 12 major roads have been cut off, 178 electric poles have been destroyed.
“Also, 11,183 livestock have been lost, and 122,330 households have been affected.
“Additionally, 52,000 houses have been destroyed”.
Wanka also mentioned that in response to the disaster, victims were initially housed in primary schools before moving in with relatives.
No Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps were opened.
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Properties Damaged By Bauchi Flooding
She confirmed that the council had approved funds for the rehabilitation of damaged structures. These include culverts, access roads, schools, and public buildings.
This action follows a directive from the Federal Government to evaluate the disaster’s extent, which has affected several states.
Furthermore, the committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Aminu Hammayo, will include relevant commissioners as members.
The Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Kashim, will oversee its activities.
Also, the Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Dallami Kawule, announced that his ministry would take action against structures built on waterways.
This measure aims to prevent future flooding, as assessments revealed that blocked waterways worsened the problem.
Lastly, Jamila Ɗahiru, the Commissioner for Education, shared that the Ministry of Education has received approval to renovate and remodel the state Education Resource Center.
This center will be merged with the newly commissioned Zainab Bulkachuwa ICT Center to create a world-class learning facility aimed at enhancing education in the state.
