Flooding: Sokoto LG Evacuates 10,000 People

Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, yesterday said arrangements had been concluded to evacuate at least 10,000 people from 20 flood-prone communities in the area.

The Caretaker Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Shehu Chacho, made the disclosure to journalists shortly after an emergency meeting convened to discuss the notice about the planned release of excess water from the Goronyo dam by the authorities of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA).

He listed the affected communities to include: Gidan-Kamba, Gidan-Bango, ‘Yar-Wurnoni, Gidan-Modu, Lahodu, Tunga, Barayara zaki, Arba, Koliyal among others.

Chacho explained that the people in all these communities would be evacuated to primary schools, government quarters and other government buildings.

He said the move became necessary in order to prevent loss of lives and property of the residents.

“This action has become necessary so as to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives and property to the likely flood disaster that may strike in these villages which are located along waterways and lowlands.

“As you are aware, a stitch in time saves nine and to be forewarned, is to be forearmed,” Chacho said.

Chacho to this end, called on the state government to expedite action on the repairs on the spillway of the state-owned Lugu dam in the local government which had broken down since 2014.

The Chairman assured the residents of the affected villages that the Council would do its best to assist them.