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Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda. Photo Credit: Faith Maji
No fewer than 1,067 victims of flooding in Katsina State have benefited from the ₦3 billion Federal Government assistance.
The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, stated this at the flag-off ceremony to provide financial support and assistance to victims in Katsina on Monday.
Radda said the gesture followed a verification process by the state government, during which it was established that a total of 1,067 individuals across the state were affected by the devastating effects of flooding.
He stated, “Out of this, 439 victims whose homes were completely destroyed by the flood will receive the sum of ₦600,000, while 628 victims whose homes were partially damaged will receive the sum of ₦300,000.”
Punch reported that over 200 houses were severely affected by the devastating flood across the state this year.
He said, “We are here to extend a helping hand to those who are left vulnerable by this natural disaster. I thank Almighty Allah for granting us this opportunity to be of service to our people. As many of you are aware, the 2024 rainy season brought a lot of blessings and challenges to our state. On one hand, we were fortunate to witness a bumper harvest which will contribute significantly to the state’s food security and agricultural productivity.
“On the other hand, however, this same rainy season was marked by heavy and continuous rainfall, leading to widespread flooding that ravaged several local government areas across the state. The consequences of this flood have been devastating. Homes, farmlands, roads, and public utilities were severely damaged, leaving thousands of residents displaced and worsening environmental degradation, especially in vulnerable areas.
“The entire community has been affected, and the road to recovery for those individuals has been difficult. The extent of the damage cannot be overstated. In response to this disaster, the Katsina State government took immediate action by setting up a technical committee including representatives from the State Ministry of Environment, local government areas, and the State Emergency Management Agency.
“This team conducted a field visit to affected areas to assess the extent of the damage, identify the most vulnerable victims, and gather data to guide our response effectively. After thorough investigation, it was confirmed that hundreds of households had been directly affected by the flooding.”
The governor therefore called on everyone to contribute towards addressing the menace in the state and the country at large.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is important to note that the scale of this disaster, both in Katsina State and across the nation, demands the collective efforts of all stakeholders. This is not a challenge that the government alone can tackle. It requires the collaboration and support of federal, state, and local governments, as well as the active involvement of well-meaning individuals in our communities.
“Recognising the gravity of the situation, the Federal Government has stepped in to provide much-needed assistance as part of the Federal Government intervention of about ₦3 billion to the state government. This funding is aimed at providing relief to the victims to help them rebuild their lives.
“Following the careful verification process, it was established that a total of 1,067 individuals across the state are in need of support. Out of this, 439 victims whose homes were completely destroyed by the flood will receive ₦600,000, while 628 victims whose homes were partially damaged will receive ₦300,000.
“The total financial support allocated to these victims stands at ₦251,800,000. In addition to the monetary aid, the Katsina State government is equally committed to ensuring that those affected receive comprehensive support. In light of this, the state government has procured building materials worth ₦200,000,000, which will be distributed to 1,772 victims whose houses were partially damaged. This is part of our ongoing effort to help these individuals restore their homes and rebuild their lives,” he added.
One of the beneficiaries from the Batsari local government area, whose house was partially damaged, Sayad Sani, shared that after the flood, she and her seven children had sectioned off a corner of their home using the remaining zinc sheets.
“But with these new building materials, I’m happy that from now on, we’ll sleep in a properly covered house. God bless Governor Radda for this kind gesture and the many projects he’s carrying out, especially the Kofar Guga road through our area,” she said.
