Flooding has devastated crops in the Argungu Local Government Area and other regions across Kebbi and Niger States, according to a statement by Nura Wakili, Head of Press and Public Affairs at the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), on Tuesday.
Wakili extended the commission’s deepest sympathies to the farmers impacted by this environmental disaster.
N-HYPPADEC described the event as a significant setback to the nation’s sustainability and food security efforts. The commission’s Managing Director, Abubakar Yelwa, expressed grave concern over the floods’ impact on the livelihoods of the affected communities while also commending the Federal Government’s swift response in allocating ₦3 billion to aid the disaster victims.
The commission noted that its prior sensitisation campaigns through mass media and advocacy visits had helped reduce the impact on riverine settlements. However, farmlands located in flood plains were severely affected.
N-HYPPADEC underscored the urgent need for affected communities to strictly follow safety protocols. This development follows predictions from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) of rising water levels in the Rivers Rima and Niger, exacerbated by upstream activities in Niger and Mali as reported by the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) in Niamey, Niger Republic.
NIHSA has warned of further flooding in the coming days as these waters move into Nigeria. In light of this, N-HYPPADEC urged communities to remain vigilant, stay informed through radio and television broadcasts, and adhere to safety instructions from relevant authorities.