By Muhammad Nasir
The Sokoto State Government has procured relief materials worth over N1.7 billion for distribution to victims of recent floods in the state.
The Executive Secretary, Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Bashir Muhammad, made this known while addressing journalists on Tuesday in Sokoto.
Muhammad provided an update on the state government’s efforts to offer immediate support to flood victims in 22 out of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
He noted that only Sokoto North local government remained safe from the floods.
He listed the relief items to include, foodstuffs such as rice, maize, and garri, along with non-food items like wrappers, brocade, mattresses, cement, ceiling boards, roofing sheets, blankets, and various plastic wares.
“Additionally, the relief package includes 20 motorised boats and 1,000 life jackets, intended for distribution to riverine communities,” he said.
Muhammad added that the disaster had affected 68,000 households across the state, with 31,000 homes destroyed.
“The floods also ravaged 37,880 farmlands, leading to significant losses of agricultural produce.
“At least 280 casualties had been recorded, including fatalities,” he said.
In a related development, SEMA had established three internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Tambuwal, Shagari, Gada, and Tureta local government areas to provide temporary accommodation for displaced residents.
He explained that Tambuwal, camps had been set up in Romon-Sarki and Sanyinna, and in Tureta, camps were located at Tsamiya and Lofa vilages, in Illela LGA hosts camps in Illela town, while, at Amarawa and Gada, a camp had been established at Darna Tsolawo village..
Muhammad also announced that the State Executive Council had approved immediate commencement of relief distribution exercise.
While praising Gov. Ahmed Aliyu for prioritising the agency’s work, the ES assured that SEMA would ensure judicious distribution of the materials to all verified victims.
“We will soon begin distribution of the relief materials to alleviate the suffering of the victims,” he assured.