Gov appeals to FG to actualise Kafin Zaki Dam project as flooding ravages Bauchi communities

From David Kuvie Bauchi

Following flooding  that destroyed 1400 houses and rendered hundreds homeless, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has reiterated the call on the Federal Government to actualize the Kafin Zaki dam project for a lasting solution.

Recurring flooding has ravaged communities in Bauchi and Jgawa States almost on yearly basis, destroying houses farmlands and several lives.

Flooding in  parts of Bauchi North and Central has cut off road linking several communities in neighbouring states and damaged unqualified farmlands and produced .

Speaking when he paid a visit to the commiserate with the people of the affected areas in Gamawa and Zaki local governments,  the governor opined that the  Kafin Zaki dam project was the lasting solution that would end the perennial flooding that has led to untold suffering of people  of the affected communities.

Governor Mohammed  pointed out that the 10 million dollars provided by the federal government with support from international partners  as succour to  address the problem  would not provide a lasting solution.

“We have taken steps with the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency BASWPA  to take a census of what has Been destroyed,” he said.

“The federal government has provided  10.million dollars but this is a far cry from what we require here in terms of infrastructure, drainage and so on. 

“What we need here is the actualisation of the Kafin Zaki dam that will arrest  and harness the water resources that we have coming from the  Dilimi River and Jamare river”

Mohammed advised that  technology should be deployed to create and discharge surfaces dam to communities in  Borno and Yone states so that their areas are not dry.

Nigeria correspondents reports that residents of Yobe and Borno state do not support the actualisation of the Kafin Zaki Dam project because they fear it will affect their communities adversely.

“I am.calling on the federal government to urgently address this issue by bringing all.tbe communities that are suffering into the downstream communities so that perception problem and agitation would be allayed,’ he said

“We would be able to harness the water resources with  the huge potential for agriculture.and development in these Areas.

“Anything other than that is just scratching the surface. We have to do it because you can see what is happening in Jigawa and other places”

To ameliorate the plight of those affected, Governor Mohammed  announced a donation of two trailers of maize totalling 1200 bags and two vehicles of medical needs.

“We believe people are exposed to contaminated water,,” he said.

Governor Mohammed directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Nuhu.Zaki to provide14 boats to ease movement of stranded  residents  of communities in the area in the mean time.

 “I have also directed the State Emergency  Management  Agency, SEMA and BASEPA to take statistics of those affected,” he said.