Three Die In Plateau Flood Disaster

By Babatune Solanke

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that at least three people died after a downpour that lasted several hours on Sunday and Monday, at Gangere, Rikkos, Bauchi road and Eto-Baba communities, of Jos North Local Government in Plateau State.

The Zonal Coordinator, NEMA, Eugene Nyenlong, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said his agency got a distress call that three persons had died as a result of the flood.

 According Nyenlong, NEMA and other stakeholders were going to the affected communities to assess the situation.

 “As I speak to you, we are moving to the scene with other stakeholders to have an on the spot assessment of the disaster, and also carry out advocacy visits.

“From the information before us, three persons have lost their lives from the flood that has become a recurring decimal in those areas.

“I appeal to the Plateau State Government to take stringent measures to ensure that the people vacate the flood prone areas.

“If the people do not want to move out permanently, they can vacate the areas during rainy season and return during dry season.”

Nyenlong, who said there is  a waterway linking the communities exists which make them susceptible, added that apart from the waterway, the areas had poor drainage system.

The Executive Secretary, Plateau State Emergency Agency, Sunday Abdu, also said they were on their way to the affected communities.

Abdu, said that the agency would know the next line of action after an on the spot assessment.