A devastating flood has submerged thousands of hectares of farmlands in Shonga, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, causing extensive damage to rice farming.
The flood has displaced hundreds of farmers and destroyed agricultural investments valued in millions of naira.
During a visit by a state government delegation led by Deputy Chief of Staff, Princess Bukola Babalola, the Emir of Shonga, Dr. Halidu Yahya Ndanusa, expressed deep concern over the incident, which he said posed a serious threat to food security.
He called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the unusual flood, emphasizing that the Sahel region, including areas like Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, had experienced no rainfall, making the flood’s origin particularly puzzling.
The Emir noted that, while Kainji Dam had denied responsibility for the floodwaters, officials from Jebba Dam acknowledged the possibility of their involvement and mentioned plans to close the dam soon.
He further expressed his hope that such an incident would not occur again in the future, as it jeopardizes years of hard work in attracting farmers to the region.
Community leader, Muhammad Abdulkadir, revealed that farmers from various northern states, including Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, and Niger, had lost millions of naira in rice crops to the flooding.
He stressed the need for government assistance and suggested that a permanent solution, such as dredging the River Niger, should be explored to prevent recurring flooding in the region.
In her address, Princess Babalola assured the affected farmers that the state government would provide support to alleviate the effects of the flood on their livelihoods.
She promised that the complaints of the farmers would be conveyed to the Governor, and efforts would be made to find a lasting solution to the flooding problem.
The delegation also distributed relief materials worth millions of naira to the affected farmers in the Tada community.
The state government pledged to further investigate the cause of the flood and provide continuous assistance to the farming community in the affected area.
