Five people were killed when their boat capsized in a river in Jama’are town, Jama’are Local Government Area, Bauchi state, as a result of heavy rain and windstorm.
Saleh Muhammad, the Member representing Jama’are Constituency, revealed this in a motion he moved on the floor of the Bauchi State House of Assembly during plenary.
Abdul Burra, the Spokesperson for House Speaker Abubakar Suleiman, told journalists late Tuesday night that Muhammad, who did not specify how or when the incident occurred, also did not provide any other details.
Leading a debate on the motion, the lawmaker lamented the devastation caused by floods in the local government revealing that no fewer than 500 houses were destroyed and about 1,000 families had been displaced.
He said that the displaced families are now taking shelter in schools, government buildings, mosques and neighbouring villages adding that 60,000 hectares of farmlands of various crops valued at several millions of naira were destroyed during the incident.
He called on the House to urge the state government to come to the aid of the victims of the flood.
The lawmaker said: “Jama’are town and its surrounding villages had been hit by a very devastating flood that rendered several people homeless. The flood is estimated to have destroyed over 500 houses and displaced about 1,000 families. It also ravaged more than 60,000 hectares of farmlands and destroyed farm produces estimated at several hundreds of millions of naira.
“It is disheartening to Inform you that, hundreds of houses and several hectares of farmlands of the following villages were destroyed by the recent flooding and their residents are currently seeking shelter at public schools, government buildings mosques and neighboring villages; Yola, Dakodako, Gongo, Gilar, Sabongari, Jogayel, Jabbori, Bodinga, Guda among others are disconnected Jama’are town amongst others.
“These villages have been disconnected from Jama’are town and there is no access road leading to the local government headquarters, all the culverts have been broken down, eroded and taken away by the flood.
“It is on record that, Jama’are Local Government Area is increasingly experiencing annual flooding during the rainy season. The town is the most vulnerable to flooding perhaps due to the presence of a river in the area. There is too much water in the river and the flow capacity becomes overwhelmed and it bursts its banks which creates havoc to the people of the area.”
Muhammad added that the recent flood did not only endangered the lives of humans and animals but also brought about outbreak of diseases such as cholera and malaria.
He urged the lawmakers to resolve that the State Government should come to the aid people of Jama’are Constituency who are grossly affected by flooding incidents by providing relief materials while the Committee of Special Duties should be mandated to visit, sympathise and condole with the victims and families of those that lost their lives in the capsized canoe, on behalf of the Assembly.
Responding, the Speaker who presided over the plenary said that the motion required no further debate since Members had already discussed similar matters on flooding.
The House then unanimously adopted the motion.
