Vice President Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo has in the course of his visit to flood affected areas in Katsina and Kaduna States said the Federal Government would flag off 3,000 Hectre irrigation farming in Jibiya Katsina state this month.
The Vice President who was in the two states to commiserate with victims of the recent flood disaster that had ravaged various communities across the country promised farmers of federal government assistance to enable them make up for all the losses they have suffered as a result of the unfortunate incidence.
Arc Sambo, who spoke directly with the victims of the flood, said “we are in the state to commiserate with you most specially to offer our condolence to the families that have lost their loved ones and to sympathize with those that have suffered material loss.
He further stated that the federal government has disbursed funds to the Ministry of Agriculture for the supply of improved seedlings and other farm inputs to farmers to assist in dry season farming so that they could make up for the losses they have suffered from the flood
The Vice President said that government had disbursed the sum of N300 million assistance to Katsina and N400 million to Kaduna State respectively to provide immediate relief to the affected communities.
In katsina State, he said the sum of N800 million has been approved for the reconstruction of some major bridges that had collapsed during the flood in Ganga Biyu and Morwa communities in the state.
While in Kaduna State the Vice President stated that President Jonathan had approved N37bn for the completion of Gurara Water Irrigation Scheme, adding that “immediately consultants will be appointed to commence the study for the dredging of River Kaduna within Kaduna town”.
Furthermore, Arc Sambo stated that the special committee set up by the Federal Government to support victims of floods have realised over N12billion and this would also be used to provide all the necessary assistance and support to victims to bring them back to their normal lives. The 34-member committee has Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Olisa Agbakoba as Co-Chairmen.Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. is Chief Fund Mobilizer while Alhaji Karami Isiaku Rabiu,Alhaji Mohammed Indimi ,Ngo Hannatu Cholum ,Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija,Prof. Dora Akunyili and Mr. Tony Elumelu among others serve as members.
Arc Sambo assured the people of federal government’s continued presence, support and assistance towards growth development and prosperity. “we are with you and shall continue to provide all the needed services and support to ensure that this nation moves forward” and that “we shall continue assisting you to grow and prosper”, he stated.
Arc Sambo stated further that the government has recorded substantial improvement in power generation and that the federal government was committed to ensuring that all children of school age have access to basic and qualitative education. He stated that the federal government was partnering states in the provision of both western and Islamic education to the teeming almajirai in the country.
Speaking earlier the governor of Katsina State Ibrahim Shema expressed the appreciation of the state government and the people of the state to Mr President and the vice president for their concern on the plight of the people. He appealed for further financial assistance to enable those who lost their houses, businesses and farmlands to the flood to recover fast.
On his part Kaduna State Governor Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, while also appreciating the prompt response of the Federal Government used the opportunity to appeal for the dredging of. River Kaduna. He stated that 5,254 people, three major bridges and over 40 culverts were affected. He also stated that six persons lost their lives with one family loosing four children to the floods.
About eighteen local government in Katsina state were affected by the devastating flood, seven persons lost their lives and property worth over N1.2billion destroyed. In Kaduna 15 local governments were affected costing over N9bn.
