The serving Taraba State Commissioner of Urban Development, Peter Julius, has narrated his experience in the recent flood disaster that ravaged his community- Kunini, Lau Local Government Area of the state.
Julius, while speaking with The Nation, said the flood caught them unawares and that his people were hit badly.
According to him, ‘We normally expect flood from the river when it overflows its banks. But in this case, it came from the mountains because we live on the lowland. It came so hard on our people in Kunini ward’.
Julius, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lau chairmanship candidate for the November Local Government election, disclosed that there were loss of animals and foodstuff without any loss of human life.
Meanwhile, the chairman, Lau Local Government Area, Nigeria Ezra, has disclosed that at least 182 homes, 72 farmlands and 51 goats have been affected by the flood.
Speaking with The Nation on Saturday, Ezra stated that although no life was lost, the people have remained in danger and called for government assistance.
He said: ‘Our people are in danger. Some people have lost so many things including accommodation. We call on the government to assist.
‘No life was lost but 182 houses, 72 farmlands and 51 goats were destroyed’.
The Councillor of Kunini ward, Yakubu Yunana, also complained of the dire situation the affected people have found themselves.
‘We evacuated the people to the IDP camp at the Pilot Primary School. There is no water for them to drink because the flood has destroyed all the wells. About seven villages were affected’, he revealed.
On government intervention, the Taraba State Commissioner of Special Duties, Saviour Noku stated: ‘We were able to deploy some teams to the area. Before now, there has been sensitisation for people to relocate to higher grounds. The governor has given the approval for provision of safe places for the vulnerable. Some relief materials have been deployed to the people’.
