The Kebbi state executive council ha Wednesday adopted the constitution of a 16- member committee to act quickly and decisively to lessen the effect of impending flood likely to affect some local government areas.
This is the major outcome of the weekly meeting of the council presided over by Governor Nasir Idris and held in Birnin Kebbi.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmad Birnin Kebbi, who briefed newsmen after the meeting, said the governor ordered for immediate proactive measures to forestall unfortunate consequences.
“We are aware of the enormous devastation caused by flooding elsewhere and we have seen what occurred, although it is a forecast, we cannot afford to be complacent, we have to act instantaneous.
“We comprehend the warning from NEMA of impending further flooding from waters outside Nigeria that would hit Kebbi and this is the essence of the setting up of the high powered committee under the chairmanship of the deputy governor, Sen. Umar Abubakar Tafida, to go into action.
“We are at alert of the warning that from Central Guinea, Futa Jalon Highland Region, the River Senegal, the River Gambiya and the River Niger, could be the source of water to flow into other countries including Nigeria.
“The prediction indicates that Kebbi will be the first on the firing line with Bunza likely to suffer the most impact,” the commissioner stated.
Alhaji Yakubu Ahmad added that the committee has swung into action, and would Thursday hold consultations with local government chairmen areas envisaged to be flooded.
They would return to their localities to interact with traditional rulers on the matter.
“The committee has been given the task of identifying sources of the impending flood, communities to be affected, and to liaise with religious and community leaders to enable the government lessen the difficulties therein, and if necessity warrants, evacuate endangered communities to higher ground.
“The government would do the needful to ensure safety in all communities, we want to stay safe in Kebbi,” he said.