Residents of Wuro Dole in Gona Emirate of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State are assessing the damage caused by a devastating flood that swept away houses, farmlands and other valuable belongings.
The flooding, which forced several families from their homes and left many residents struggling to recover, occurred after a prolonged and intense rainfall in the community.
During a visit to evaluate the impact of the disaster, the Overseer of Akko Local Government Area, Abdullahi Abdulkadir, described the development as unfortunate and expressed sympathy with residents over the losses suffered.
Abdulkadir, who led a team that included the Overseer of Akko West, Lamaran Ahmed; the Overseer of Akko North, Muhammad Abubakar Ajiya, and other senior officials, said the purpose of the visit was to determine the scale of the destruction and show solidarity with the affected residents.
He assured victims that the local government recognised their challenges and would take appropriate measures to provide assistance.
“We are here to sympathise with the affected families and reassure them that government is aware of their situation. We will assess the losses and do everything possible to assist the victims,” he said.
He further stated that officials from the Social Welfare Department would carry out a comprehensive assessment of affected households to support the distribution of relief materials and other forms of aid.
The District Head of Wuro Dole, Hussaini Ishiyaku, praised the local government delegation for the visit and appealed to government agencies, humanitarian groups and well-meaning Nigerians to support the victims.
He noted that many residents had lost their sources of livelihood and would need immediate assistance to rebuild their lives.
Also speaking, the member representing Akko North Constituency in the Gombe State House of Assembly, Musa Mohammed Wuro Biriji, donated N250,000 to assist the affected families.
The lawmaker assured residents that he would bring the issue before the State House of Assembly to attract additional government support and intervention for the community.
One of the victims, Ali Zarami Bakin Boda, blamed the flooding on the heavy rainfall and the obstruction of a culvert, which caused water to spill into residential buildings and farmlands.
Another resident, Usman Munkaila, described the incident as a serious disaster that had rendered many families homeless and left them in distress.
“Some families lost all their belongings, while others were left without shelter. The destruction is enormous, and many people do not know where to start from,” he said.
Munkaila appealed to governments at all levels, humanitarian organisations and public-spirited individuals to support the affected victims.
The affected residents called for swift intervention to help them rebuild their homes, restore their means of livelihood and recover from the devastating effects of the flood.
