Residential homes and farmlands have been destroyed by heavy flooding in at least five agrarian communities in Lafiagi, in the Edu local government area of Kwara.
The incident followed a heavy downpour on Tuesday and affected communities include Pututa, Tswako, Likpata, Godangi, and Ekko, all within Lafiagi Ward 4.
No lives were lost in the flooding incident; however, property and rice farms were reportedly washed away, and a source of drinking water was also destroyed.
Speaking when he paid a sympathy visit to Pututa and other agrarian communities in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area, that were ravaged by the flood, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described the recurring incident as unfortunate.
The governor identified dredging of the River Niger as a lasting solution to flooding in the area and promised to continue to push for a lasting solution.
“The purpose of this visit is to come and commiserate with the communities over the flood incident and to see how we can bring succour to the affected communities,” the Governor said at the Palace of the Emir of Lafiagi, HRH Alhaji Muhammed Kudu Kawu.
“It is a bad situation, we are glad that no life was lost, though a lot of properties were destroyed. The dredging of River Niger is beyond the state but we will continue to engage federal agencies like the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Inland Waterways, HYPADEC and other federal agencies for their support.”
Earlier in Pututa, the Governor told the head of Pututa (Lashan Pututa), Alhaji Muhammed Manko Ibrahim, that the government is working hard to fix their challenge.
He directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to visit the place and take inventory of their losses for adequate government support.
He also gave them a sum of N10 million to provide for their immediate needs, including medical, food, and drinking water.
The Governor thanked the people of Kwara North, including the Lafiagi Emirate, for supporting his government.
AbdulRazaq also visited the College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi, and Lafiagi Stadium under reconstruction, with the promise to intensify efforts for the upgrade of the former to Federal University of Education.
He said the government will look into the reopening of the Gbugbu International Market, Lafiagi, which was earlier closed for security reasons.
The Governor also justified the zoning of the governorship ticket to Kwara North, saying the motive was to expedite development in the region.
“On a final note, the push of this administration is that wherever a leader comes from, it brings more development to that area. It is a natural thing,” he said at the Emir’s Palace.
“For Kwara North to feel greater impacts, our administration has decided to make sure that the next Governor of Kwara State comes from Kwara North.”
Speaking on behalf of the Emir, the Somasun of Lafiagi, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, appreciated the Governor for the visit and for the developmental projects by his government.
He specifically thanked the government for donating a Coaster Bus to the College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi, to ease the mobility of staff.
He appealed for the reopening of the Gbugbu International Market to improve commercial activities and grow their economy.
Lashan Pututa, Alhaji Ibrahim, for his part, said the Governor’s visit further demonstrates his leadership qualities and a commitment to the well-being of people of the community.
He commended AbdulRazaq for providing them with good leadership and appealed to his government to assist in putting an end to their challenge.
“There have been governors in Kwara state, both military and elected ones like Your Excellency.
What we have witnessed during your time is unique. We have not had it so good as you have done for us,” he said.
“This is Lafiagi Ward 4; we have about 31 villages within the ward, all in the riverine area. We are just one single ward, but our votes count even more than some local governments in the state.
“Since we have been practicing politics along with other people, we have not had a governor who would be stepping into our ward like you. You have been coming to this ward as if you were born here. Your contributions to our community are enormous. We will reciprocate this kind gesture with our vote in 2027.
