Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio has expressed his deepest condolences to the governments and people of Borno and Bauchi States following the recent catastrophic floods that have claimed many lives, destroyed property, and displaced thousands.
The floods, which have wreaked havoc across the region, have left communities reeling from the loss of life and destruction of homes and livelihoods.
In a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio sympathised with the victims and assured them of his support during this difficult time.
He expressed solidarity with the affected communities and emphasised the Senate’s readiness to assist in mitigating the impact of the disaster.
“Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on behalf of his family, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the entire National Assembly, extends his deepest sympathies to the Vice President, Governments of Borno and Bauchi States, Distinguished Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, Traditional Rulers whose districts are affected, and all the people who are directly or indirectly impacted by these devastating flood disasters in these states,” the statement read.
Akpabio extended his thoughts and prayers to the families who have lost loved ones, their homes, and sources of livelihood as a result of the unprecedented natural disaster.
“Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones, properties, and livelihoods due to this unprecedented natural disaster. We pray for the souls of the departed and offer our support to those struggling to cope with the aftermath,” he added.
The Senate President underscored the Senate’s commitment to collaborating with both state and federal governments to provide the necessary assistance to alleviate the suffering of the affected people.
He reiterated the importance of a coordinated response to ensure that relief reaches those most in need, and that measures are put in place to prevent such disasters from causing similar devastation in the future.
In Borno State, the flooding began over a week ago, intensifying into a full-scale disaster that has displaced thousands of residents from their homes in Maiduguri, the state capital.
The floods reached their peak during the early hours of Tuesday, submerging vast areas, cutting off communities, and leading to significant losses.
The affected residents have been forced to seek refuge in temporary shelters as they await relief efforts from the government and humanitarian organisations.
Bauchi State has also been severely impacted, with the state government confirming a death toll of 24.
The flooding has destroyed numerous homes and swept away over 300 farmlands, leaving many residents homeless and struggling to rebuild their lives.
The agricultural losses are particularly devastating, as they threaten food security and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers in the state.
The response from the federal government and other agencies has been swift, with relief materials being dispatched to the affected regions.
However, the scale of the disaster has highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive flood management strategy, including improved infrastructure and early warning systems, to mitigate the effects of such natural disasters in the future.
Akpabio’s call for a concerted effort to support the affected communities reflects the broader sentiment of national solidarity and the need for coordinated action.
He emphasised that the Senate will work closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that those impacted receive the assistance they need to rebuild their lives.
The Senate President’s statement also highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes of such disasters, including climate change and inadequate urban planning, which exacerbate the impact of extreme weather events.
He urged the federal and state governments to prioritise investments in resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness to safeguard communities against future calamities.
As Borno and Bauchi States continue to deal with the aftermath of the floods, the support from national leaders, including Senate President Akpabio, offers a measure of hope to the affected communities.
The focus now turns to recovery efforts, and the need for long-term solutions to prevent a recurrence of such devastating floods in the future.
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