BY TAYE OBATERU

The broadcast by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday during which he announced Federal Government’s financial assistance to states across the country ravaged by flood brought a ray of hope to victims of the flood many of whom have lost loved ones, property and their sources of livelihood.

Many of those who spoke to Saturday Vanguard  in Jos after the broadcast commended the Federal Government for the gesture but hoped the state governments would utilize the money to rehabilitate victims.

“At least we have hope that we will get something to rebuild our houses and start life all over again because without such assistance, I do not know where to begin life again”, said Mallam Aliyu a victim of the August flood in Jos North Local Government  Area who is still squatting with a family friend somewhere off Bauchi Road.

Aliyu’s hope is hardly misplaced given the extent of destruction caused by the flood which swept through several local government areas of the state. That Plateau  was in the ‘A’ Category in the announced assistance to states underscored the extent of the disaster.

Following the initial flood in Jos North were the others in the six local government areas in the Southern flank of the state where scores have been killed, thousands rendered homeless and farmlands and other economic property were destroyed.  The local governments are Mikang, Shendam, Quan Pan, Wase, Langtang South and Langtang North.

Bridges were washed away cutting off communities and making inter or intra state movement difficult if not impossible. Many had to make do with canoes as a means of transportation as the roads were completely submerged by water.

Thousands  were rendered homeless and are currently in camps while  it is estimated that over 100 lives might have been lost in the flooding in different parts of the state. Apart from the bodies recovered several people were declared missing with corpses recovered from neighboring states in some cases.

Swimming to safety

Fear of possible food shortage is being expressed in several quarters as a result of the washing away of farmlands in the affected areas. For example,  several hectares of farmland were washed away in Shendam and Mikang Local Government Areas known for the production of rice and yams,  just as in other local government areas in the Southern Plateau area which are known for the production of various agricultural products.

Chief Whip of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Timothy Golu  said food shortage was imminent unless steps were taken to make up for the losses  caused by the flood. He suggested massive dry season farming in the affected areas to ensure that  the food stock of the people was replenished, noting that in several areas farms got washed off  while harvest was just around the corner.

He said assisting the farmers to grow crops during the dry season would go a long way in cushioning the effect of the flood. He urged other local government officials to emulate the example of Shendam Local Government Area which is encouraging massive dry season farming.

Golu who represents Kanke Constituency in the house called on governments at various levels to take necessary steps to forestall the problem of flooding ravaging different parts of the country. He said apart from the issue of relocation of communities along water ways, water channels should be created where necessary even in areas not along water ways. According to him, “Some of the areas would only require creation of water ways which governments at all levels need to build. When water flows in its channel, that won’t pose any further threats to the society; that is what to do.”

Similar concerns had been expressed by the Senator representing Plateau South, Mr.Victor Lar who apart from donating relief materials estimated at over two million naira has embarked on a campaign to get support for the victims. He described the extent of damage as too much for government to handle hence the need for individuals, corporate organizations from within and outside the country to lend a helping hand.

According to Senator Lar, “The situation on ground is pathetic and this is not what the Federal Government alone can solve.The quantum of relief materials sent so far is hardly enough considering the numbers of victims involved. We are talking of over 100 villages sacked by flood and thousands of inhabitants lost their homes now homeless.

“Knowing that government alone will not be able to provide all the reliefs, I have taken it upon myself to cry out to private individuals and organizations within and outside the country to come to our aid. I have cried to Plateau indigenes in Diaspora; I have appealed to companies and non-governmental organizations for help.”

Lar commended the Federal Government for the prompt action on affected bridges which has cut off communities  saying, “as I am talking to you now contractors have moved to site following the directive of The Presidency.

I am also impressed with the intervention of  the Federal Government agencies like FERMA, NEMA, etc, for their prompt intervention.  Some of the immediate needs of the people are the roads and bridges on which the Federal Government has directed work to commence”.

Governor Jonah Jang who rode in a canoe during a visit to the affected areas had expressed shock at the magnitude of the disaster appealing to the Federal Government for assistance since the state alone could not cope with the situation. He said there would be an environmental impact assessment to ascertain remedial measures necessary to avert a recurrence.

With the Federal Government heeding the appeal for assistance with a N500million largesse, many are hopeful that the victims would get some succor to start life again. The people can hardly wait.