Jigawa governor under fire for alleged neglect of flood victims, as death toll rises to 92
Jigawa state governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, has come under severe criticism for his alleged disregard for the plight of the citizens of the state he governs.
Over 90 people have been confirmed dead as a result of widespread flooding in Jigawa State due to torrential rainfall, and the governor was said to have shown little care to assuage their sufferings.
According to the spokesperson of the police in the state, Lawan Adam, the death toll from the flood between August and September has increased to 92.
Adam told reporters on Monday that most of the dead were killed by drowning, thunderstorms, and by collapsed buildings.
Reports have said thousands of structures, mostly mud houses, bridges, and roads were destroyed by the flood, forcing many communities to relocate to Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps across the state.
Meanwhile, the governor was said to have travelled out of the country on holidays without visiting victims of the disaster.
There has been claims also that as the disaster rages on, the response from the Badaru-led administration has been tepid, according to Premium Times.
Some victims of the flood in the IDP camps across the state wre said to have complained that the government has turned a blind eye to their plight.
They said that they have not been provided with relief materials and health services. They also claimed that some of their women gave birth in the open without being attended to by qualified health officials.
However, on 6 September, Governor Badaru announced the donation of N50 million to the victims of the flood while he hosted the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who visited the state on a condolence visit.
The donation, however, did not assuage the anger of the flood victims, who protested and asked the state government to do more to assist them.
Their protest was echoed by the Emir of Hadejia, Adamu Abubakar-Maje, who said the people are suffering untold hardship due to the flood.
However, a press statement by his chief media aide, Habiu Nuhu Kila said the governor commiserated and sympathized with “the people in the state over the continuing flooding in some parts of the state.
“Governor Badaru on behalf of the government of Jigawa State extend his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims, injured and the affected of this natural calamity.”
He said the government “is aware of the challenges caused as a result of the flooding and is doing everything humanly possible to alleviate their suffering as relevant agencies are on top gear to see that people are assisted. He also directed the State Deputy Governor Alhaji Umar Namadi to go round the affected areas to assess and provide necessary assistance in providing foods and other immediate needs and resettlement to the victims.
“While the government is also doing its best to see that roads and bridges that have washed away are reclaim for the road users it is also in contact with Federal Government towards easing the natural disaster.”
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