Flood ravages Shongom communities in Gombe
No fewer than 500 persons have been displaced from their homes with millions of naira lost due to flood in Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Our Correspondent reports that this flood was an aftermath of a week-long rain that cumulated into flood from Bangunji the border between Kaltungo and Bambam up to Digga the border between Lalapido and Pero-Chonge.
Speaking in an interview with our Correspondent, Soli Adamu from Majidadi Gwandum Community lamented the havock caused by the flood, narrating how he rescued his aged father by carrying him.
He said, “From my estimation in Majidadi alone, 200 farms have been affected and over 100 houses. We had to save ourselves, by carrying our loved ones out of the village. I had to carry my own father who is crippled on my back. After that we started making calls to our Traditional and political leaders among which was Hon. Wina who promised to come to our aid.”
“We are calling on the government to help us relocate from the community and resettle us in another place, because now we had to build makeshift tents and stay in,” Adamu added.
Also speaking, Village Head of Sajo Musa Hashimu, decried the loss experienced by farmers, revealing that their investments have been lost.
Hashimu said, “We have lost so much, most of our farmlands and crops which include maize, soybeans, millets guinea corn, groundnuts. We cannot even begin to estimate the loss we have incurred. All the farms around streams and gullies have been destroyed.
“I am so happy because our Hon. Samuel Markus Wina has shown that he is truly our representative. He has shown he cares for us and he is concerned about us. We are grateful for how he has always carried us along in his representation.”
Assessing the level of destruction in some of the communities Lawmaker representing Pero-Shonge constituency Samuel Wina called on relevant authorities to come to the rescue of residents.
He said, “Livelihoods have been put in jeopardy. It is pathetic and we sympathise with our people. I want to appeal to State Emergency Management Agency and the State Government to come to the aide of the people.
“The flood fell alot of houses most especially mud houses and alot of persons are now perching with relations.”
When contacted the Executive Secretary of Gombe State Emergency Management Agency Haruna Abdullahi, promised to get back to our Correspondent on the level of devastation in the areas.
