Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger has donated N3 million to the victims of rainstorm at Rafin-Gora community in Kontagora local government area of the state, with an appeal to the people of the state to desist from building structures on waterways in order to avoid flooding.
The Governor made the cash donation on Friday during a sympathy and on-the-spot assessment visit to the victims who have been rendered homeless as a result of the rainstorm that was accompanied by a heavy downpour last Wednesday night.
The Governor, represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Muhammad Sarkin Daji also announced N1 million donation from the member, representing Kontagora/Magama/Mariga/Wushishi federal constituency, Hon. Idris Garba.
Governor Umaru Bago, who described the incident as very unfortunate, urged the people to desist from erecting their structures on waterways even though he believed that rainstorm is a natural disaster that could happen anytime.
The Governor, who expressed shock at the level of destruction caused by the rainstorm and the attendant loss of lives and properties, said no amount of money can bring back those lives that were lost, nor the properties destroyed, and thereby urged the people to accept the unfortunate incident as the will of God.
On his part, the Hon. Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Abdulmalik Mohammad Sarkin Daji assured the people of Rafi Gora and the entire state that the 10th Assembly in the state will partner with the Executive arm of government to make laws that will have direct and positive impact on the lives of the people of the state, stressing that “we want the people to be patience with the present administration which is barely one month old in office.
“The Governor has a comprehensive Master plan that will transform the state and restore the hope of the people. The Governor is passionate about the Urban Renewal and Rural Transformation agenda of the administration and therefore needs the patience and understanding of the people to be able to realize this developmental agenda,” said the Speaker.
Sarkin Daji further told the people that the House of Assembly recently passed a motion at its plenary, urging the Executive Arm to take a proactive measure towards flooding in the state following warning from the Nigerian Metrological Agencies (NiMET) of a possible heavy rainfall this year which will be followed with severe floods.
Also speaking, the Member Representing Kontagora 11 Constituency, at the State Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Isah who was also part of the governor delegation that visited the community, equally made a personal donation of N500,000 to the people.
Meanwhile, the District Head of Rafin Gora, Alhaji Usman Mohammed in his response, appreciated the Governor for his kind gestures and the visit to the community, assuring him that the money will reach the targeted beneficiaries adding that it would be judiciously utilized.
It could be recalled that rainstorm accompanied by a heavy downpour swept through Rafin Gora community and surrounding villages last Wednesday night, destroying over 100 households while properties worth several millions of Naira were destroyed.
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