By Abubakar Sadeeq
The torrential downpour that proceeded Weeks of severe drought that caused death of crops in most northern states of Nigeria has caused devastating flooding, destroying many hectares of farmlands.
Lives and houses have also been reportedly lost. The affected farmers who looked forward to a bumper harvest at the end of the raining season are now in fear of imminent hunger.
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Most affected by flooding were Niger, Gombe, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi, Kebbi, Taraba and Nasarawa States while the states severely hit with insecurity include Niger, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, Zamfara, Benue, Plateau and Taraba States.
Findings by Agro-Climate News revealed while insecurity in states in the North West, North East and North-Central had cut down the rate of food production in the regions, the recent drought and current flooding have worsened the situation, threatening the Nigeria’s food Security.
The affected states with insecurity, recent drought and flooding especially Niger, Gombe, Kaduna, Plateau, Kebbi, Zamfara, Benue, Nasarawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Kogi among others produce several crops including yam, beans, Millet, sorghum, maize, soybeans, red beans, white beans, rice among other crops in commercial quantities but the production quantities had been cut drastically due to insecurity, recent drought and current flooding.
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For instance, while farmers in the southern part of Niger State lost virtually all their crops including those that had attained maturity stage to recent drought, creating fear of imminent hunger in the affected communities, insecurity and flooding wrecking havoc on farming communities in the Northern and Eastern parts of the state have affected farming activities in the two geopolitical zones of the state.
‘Flood killed 200 people, displaced over 208,000’
A report by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) revealed that flooding had claimed nearly 200 lives, displaced over 208, 000 people in 28 of the 36 states, while many homes and farmlands had been washed away.
While the agency attributed the persistent flooding to poor infrastructure, failure to follow environmental guidelines and ineffective dams management, the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPADDEC) said torrential downpour was the cause of the devastating flooding this year.
Declare state of emergency on flooding – N-HYPADDEC
The Managing Director of the N-HYPADDEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa recently called on the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare state of emergency on flooding to put agencies concern on their toes to take drastic measures to save lives and economic activities especially in the HYPADDEC states of Niger, Plateau, Kebbi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Taraba and Kaduna States.
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Yelwa said the N-HYPADDEC states were the worst hit with flooding this year, saying that 80 percent of the flood disasters recorded in Nigeria this year occurred in N-HYPPADEC member states due to their location and electricity generation activities taking place in the affected states.
According to him, the increasing frequency and severity of floods, have caused significant disruptions to lives, property and economic activities in the affected areas, thereby posing a serious threat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s quest for food security and wealth creation in the country.
He said Preliminary report from officers of the commission in the affected states had revealed that in Benue State, 634 communities have been affected with nearly 30,000 farmlands washed away while in Kebbi State, 6, 959 households have been affected with about 10,000 farmlands washed away with 1 life lost.
The Managing Director also revealed that 6 of the 7 people declared missing recently in Niger State following the flood disaster in communities in Mashegu and Magama LGAs of the state had been confirmed dead, noting that situation was the same in Gombe, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kogi and Kaduna States.
Proactive measures to the rescue
Yelwa underscored the need for proactive measures to avert the complete collapsing of the famous Dadin-Kowa dam in Gombe state, saying that if the dam was allowed to collapse completely, it would ravage most farming communities in the area.
He said more than 70 percent of the commission’s budget was spent on flood control but the situation had continued unabated.
“Looking at the devastation this year as it affects critical infrastructure and people’s means of livelihood coupled with prediction on more flood to come, we call on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on flood especially in N-HYPPADEC member states. This will reposition relevant agencies and critical stakeholders to not only take proactive measures in containing the devastating effect of the flood, but also remain on the alert to ensure prompt response to possible occurrence in weeks to come.
“A comprehensive flood management strategy that will enhance the resilience of communities against future flood events is required at both state and federal levels.
“We equally called for collective efforts to ensure that the affected communities receive the needed attention from relevant agencies and are guided to strictly adhere to safety protocols and guidelines designed to minimize risks and casualties”, Yelwa said.
He added that, “as I am talking to you this now, we don’t know what may become of the famous Dadin-Kowa dam; the situation is alarming. Our staff are on their way to Gombe State to meet with government and the communities to see how the dam management initiative that should have been done becomes a reality. Otherwise, we are not talking of only infrastructure but also threats to life that will become imminent if the dam is allowed to collapse completely”.
He also revealed that the 3 major bridges – the Mayo-Kam and Jalingo Wukari bridges in Taraba State as well as Manyara bridge at Sabon-Pegi Kwatachi on New Bussa Federal Highway in Niger State as well as other critical infrastructure such as culverts and flood drains, schools and health centers across the Commission’s areas of operations have been affected.
According to him, “These developments serve as a major impediment to the Federal Government’s renewed hope agenda and the country’s derive to economic growth and development”.
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“As a Commission, we have played a significant role in containing the menace of incessant flooding by executing critical flood and erosion control projects. These include the 625 meters hydraulic drainage system at Koton Karfe, Kogi State, 1.2 kilometre hydraulic drainage system and another 2.5 kilometre desilting on Idye flood plain in Benue State, flood control dykes and retaining walls in Yauri, Kebbi State and Patigi erosion control project in Kwara State. This is in addition to about 500 flood victims’ resettlement housing schemes under construction in Niger, Kogi, Kwara and Kebbi States. We have also engaged the media in sensitising the riverine communities on dangers of flood and safety measures in the event of the disaster. This was followed by advocacy visits to communities in collaboration with other sister agencies with a view to creating awareness on flood and other related issues. Our vision here is geared towards addressing the menace of flooding and its devastation across the N-HYPPADEC member states”, he said.
Yelwa appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing the release of victim support funds to states affected by flood this year, saying the move would go a long way in supporting the victims in this trying moment.
Harvest intensifying despite disasters
Despite that farmers have started harvesting some crops especially maize, beans and yam, the costs were above the reach of the lower class citizens.
Checks in Niger State markets showed that price of a 100kg bag of new Maize was N70, 000 while old Maize went for N90, 000 per a 100kg bag.
A 100kg bag of beans went for N200, 000 while a bag of rice was between N156, 000 and N160, 000. Similarly, Millet and sorghum go for N90, 000 per a bag of 100kg each.
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