Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu on Saturday had a meeting with stakeholders at Presidential Banquet Birnin Kebbi over flood which ravaged the state and also insecurity in some parts of Zuru Local Government area of the state.
Bagudu stated that efforts were underway to assist the flood victims across the state.
The Governor also unveiled the Government’s plan to embark on dry season farming by supporting the farmers with Agricultural inputs which would enable them recover from the losses incurred as a result of the flood.
Bagudu noted that the 2020 flood and rainfall had greatly surpassed the earlier prediction by NIMET and other related whether prediction agencies.
The Governor noted that the flood destroyed so many farmlands, houses and other infrastructures in the state.
He expressed satisfaction with the response of both State and Federal Government in mitigating the negative impact of the flood in the state describing the response as prompt and effective.
He also expressed gratitude with the assistance rendered to the flood victims in the state from well meaning individuals like the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari business mogul, Abdussamad Isiyaka Rabi’u, among others.
On insecurity, Bagudu regretted that, Kebbi state which was one of the most peaceful state in Nigeria is now facing security challenges in some parts of Zuru Emirate.
He said that the indigenes of the state who were hitherto engaged in farming activities in some parts of Dansadau area of Zamfara state, had returned to the state mostly in Zuru Emirate.
According to Bagudu, :” they came back with tales of woes and this ugly situation led to the springing up of self help security groups , ‘ Yan Sakai’, apparently for self defense or revenge.
” This obnoxious situation aggravated the security situation. For instance recently, the District Head of Bajida was brutally murderered .
” Also, just yesterday when a meeting was going on to select his replacement, a group of Yan Sakai stormed the meeting, uninvited and threatened to kill everybody if their nominee was not selected .”
The Governor categorically warned communities in the state against taking laws into their hands as well as creating militias.
Bagudu vowed to sustain the States feat of being the food production hub of the country and also one of the most peaceful state in the country.
In his closing remarks, Bagudu thanked the stakeholders for honouring the meeting especially emirs, religious and community leaders, politicians, government officials, youth and women groups, NGOs, security and the media.
Bagudu explained that everybody including non governmental organisations have a collective responsibility to monitor and to ensure that the relief materials gets to the affected flood victims and not diverted.
The townhall was attended among others the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammadu Mera, the Wazirin Gwandu, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar who represented the emir of Gwandu, representatives of Emirs of Yauri and Zuru, District Heads and religious leaders.
Others were the Chief of Staff Government House, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammed Argungu (Jarman Kabi) , SSG, Babale Umar Yauri, Justice Suleiman Muhammad Ambursa, the State Chief Judge and Attorney General, Commissioners, Special Advisers, NGOs, CSOs, Youth and Women groups among others.