From Abdullah Tsoho, Dutse
FOURTEEN people have been confirmed dead as a result of fire outbreaks and flood disaster that occurred in some parts of Jigawa State.
Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Yusif Babura confirmed the deaths while briefing newsmen in Dutse the state capital.
According to him, the agency received reports of fire outbreaks in different places across the state where 10 people died.
He further explained that the agency also received reports of flood in some places like Hadejia, Ringim, Babura and other places where four people reportedly died and many others sustained injuries.
“Those that died in the fire outbreaks were more in number, while the flood which led to the collapse of buildings killed several others.
“Already, Governor Muhammadu Abubakar has approved the release of some amount of money to the relations of the deceased and victims of the disasters to relieve their pains,” he said.
“Just last week we received reports of flood in about eight local government areas where victims lost domestic animals, food items and farm produce.
We sent our staff to visit the areas and assess the level of damage and to report back for action,” Babura said.
The executive secretary further stated that the agency reported to National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) which responded immediately and sent its officials and also visited the affected areas.” He expressed dismay over the approach and lackadaisical attitude by the local government council.
Babura also blamed them for failure to communicate to SEMA at the appropriate time to provide the victims with emergency relief materials.