Flood Disaster Ravage Plateau Community
By Moses Gbande
Parts of Panyam District, in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State last Monday 5th August, 2019, was ravaged by flood disaster resulting from heavy rainfall.
The Convener, Plateau Heritage Movement,Mangna Yusuf Wamyil reports that the large body of water reportedly swept through cultivated farmlands destroying fully grown crops in Dangdai, Kwangkong, Changal, Kombili, Ajing, Larkas, and Washna villages in Panyam District also destroyed bridges in Ajing and Kombili villages of the same district.
“This unwelcome natural disaster left over 130 farmers devastated as they would not be among farmers who would be bountifully harvesting their crops this year owing to the damage the flood wrecked on their farms. With it is also the helplessness and difficulty in transportation for the people in the villages whose bridges were affected.
‘As a concerned citizen, I am burdened by the suffering the flood has caused our people, and I wonder how they would be able to make ends meet, feed their families, and carter for their needs.
‘To this end therefore, I wish to call on the Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, and the Executive Chairman of Mangu Local Government Council Rt. Hon. Lawrence Danat, to come to the aid of the people of the Local Government Area, as we look to deal with this situation we were not prepared for. I wish to also call on The State and National Emergency Management Agencies, SEMA and NEMA, to quicken the response effort they have already initiated, to restore hope in the minds of the flood victims, to give them the assurance to move on.
“The Senator representing Plateau Central Zone, Senator Hezekiah Dimka, and his colleague in the National Assembly, Member representing Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency, Hon. Solomon Maren, including Hon. Abdullahi Yanga who represents Mangu Northeast Constituency in Plateau State House of Assembly must rise to the occasion by swiftly identifying with the communities and people whose way of life came under attack by the element of nature. What is needed now is genuine physical support.
“In the same vein, it is quite instructive for Mwaghavul Development Association, MDA, and Mwaghavul Youth Movement, MYM, to visibly stand with our people at times like these. Our umbrella bodies should be in the forefront of educating our people to raise our level of preparedness and enlightenment toward prevention and emergency management in desperate situations.
“Before this is over, I will like to shine the light on a young man who has displayed sterling qualities and capacity for leadership in the way and manner he handled the situation in perspective. Hon. Pankyes Kromtit, Councillor representing Panyam Ward is by all standards, worthy of commendation. I thank him for his effort so far, which brought the flood incident to our notice, and and that of relevant authorities. I encourage him to be strengthened, bold, and courageous as he works for the good of our people.
“As an individual, I recognize the emergency in the affected communities and the need for support. Notably, I concede that my little may be drastically short of what is needed. Consequently, I have decided to give myself to organizing similar concerned sons and daughters of Mangu Local Government Area, and indeed anyone who shares in the pain of our people to put together whatever we can afford however small to wipe the tears of our people who have lost a lot to the flood.
“I believe the little we can do will be greatly appreciated.”
Nasarawa Reporters 