The Jigawa State Government has distributed canoes and other embankment materials to communities mostly hit by the flood.
Governor Umar Namadi stated this at the official flag-off of the distribution exercise held on Wednesday in Ringim Local Government Area. He said the move is part of the state government’s efforts to mitigate the incessant flooding and canoe accidents that have claimed the lives and properties of people in the state.
It was reported that over 100 people died due to canoe mishaps and last year’s flooding.
The items were distributed to the 13 most affected riverine and lowland communities in Jigawa State.
According to Namadi: “The materials, which include canoes, hoes, cutlasses, rakes, shovels, and fishing nets, were distributed to 15 self-help groups drawn from 13 local government areas most hit by flooding in the state”.
This is coming after the Nigerian Meteorological Agency predicted possible flooding in some states, including Jigawa State.
The agency has urged risk and disaster managers, agencies, and individuals to be proactive in averting the loss of lives and properties during the rainy season.
Findings revealed that in most of the riverine areas of the state, people are using old and dilapidated canoes for transportation, which accounted for the high number of mishaps last year.
