Press Release: Flood: ABP Beneficiaries Seek Deferment of Loans as Bagudu Visits Dandi, Koko Besse

In continuation of his sympathy visits to communities affected by the flood in the state, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Tuesday, visited areas displaced by the disaster in Dandi and Koko Besse Local Governments.

The governor was accompanied by the Speaker, Kebbi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Ismail Abdulmuminu Kamba, Alhaji Garba Salihu Dila, the Chairman of Dandi Local Government, the District Head of Kamba, Sarkin Shiko, Alhaji Muhamud Zarumai, Alhaji Ibrahim Bawa Kamba, Chairman Contributory Pension Board and other top government officials.

He went round the affected communities, to commiserate with the flood victims at the various camps provided by the state government to provide temporary accommodation to them.

At Tungar Rahi and Buma villages, in Dole Kaina, the Village Head, Alhaji Rabiu Hakimi Gabas and Hakimi Labbo of Buma village, appreciated the governor's consoling visit.

Alhaji Rabiu Hakimi, the Village Head of Tungar Rahi, who spoke on behalf of the farmers begged for the deferment of the payment of Anchor Borrowers loan to 2021.

“We are begging the governor to intervene, so that, the Anchor Borrowers Program loans we collected, be suspended until next year.”

“This is in view of the huge losses that we have incurred of our crops and even houses, due to the rampaging floods,” he solicited.

He also appealed to the governor to assist them with farming inputs such as improved seeds, as well as the relocation of some of the affected victims whose houses were completely submerged by the floods.

Responding, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, while commiserating with the farmers, assured them of his intervention on their request for the extension of the loans repayment.

“I will talk to the authorities concerned and see what can be done, this is because of the situation you are facing.”

He also assured them of the state government's assistance in providing improved seeds and other agricultural inputs required by the farmers, to enable them go back to their farms as soon as the flood waters receded.

In Buma village, governor Bagudu also commiserated with the flood victims who lost their houses and livestock.

He said that, the government will collaborate with the local government authorities, to relocate the victims to higher grounds and provide palliatives to them.

The Village Head of Buma, Hakimi Labbo, while thanking the governor for the visit also made a similar request to the governor for the extension of payment of the Anchor Borrowers loan.

He also thanked the governor for the construction of the road linking the area to other parts of the state.

One of the flood victims, Fatima Yar - Ambursa told the governor how they lost all their belongings to the floods and requested for an urgent government's support.

Earlier, the Speaker of the state Assembly, Rt Hon Ismail AbdulMumin Kamba, appreciated the tremendous concern demonstrated by the governor and his mitigation efforts to the victims.

The speaker told the governor that people of both villages were appreciative and remained thankful for constructing the road linking the villages.

Chairman of Dandi Local Government Area, Alhaji Garba Salihu Dila, said that over seven villages in the area had been displaced by the flood.

He said that, already, the local government has started providing some relief assistance to the victims.

Bagudu also made a stop over at Hayin Fulani and Gwanadi villages, where he interacted with the flood victims.

He had earlier inspected the Mashaya - Dole Kaina road which has been damaged by the flood.

Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu also visited Gamawa, Tungan Sule, Tungar Garba, Buringa, Gwanda, Tungan Hantsi and Tungar Noma to inspect the impact of the flooding and consoled the affected communities.

While in Koko Besse, local government, the governor visited IDP camps in Dutsin Mari, Besse, Zariya Kala Kala, Amiru Primary School and Government Day Secondary School, Besse.

He pledged the state government's assistance to the victims and the immediate provision of food, potable water and other basic social needs to the IDPs.

He also inspected the Samanaji road which was also submerged by the flood.

Hon. Shehu Muhammad, Wamban KoKo, House of Representatives Member, representing Koko/Maiyama Federal Constituency, commended governor Bagudu for his prompt action over the matter.

He further advised the IDPs to always make sure they boil water before using it, especially drinking.

The governor was recieved on the visit to KoKo Besse local government area by Hon. Shehu Muhammad,Wamban Koko, Chairman of the local government area, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the District Head of Koko, Sarkin Koko and other local government officials.

Signed:
YAHAYA SARKI
Special Adviser SA Media to Kebbi State Governor
16/9/2020