Flooding has severed access between six local government areas in northern Yobe State and the state capital, Damaturu, after the Potiskum-Gashua federal road was submerged by overflow from the Jama’are River in Bauchi State. This incident, which occurred on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, has left the residents of Jakusko, Bade, Karasuwa, Nguru, Yusufari, and Machina struggling with significant travel disruptions, as reported by Channels TV.
Due to the flooding, residents are now forced to seek alternative routes. However, their options are limited to the poorly maintained Bayamari-Dapchi road or the considerably longer Hadejia road in Jigawa State, both of which present their own challenges.
Samaila Musa, Chairman of the Nangere Local Government Area, voiced his concerns over the situation. “I visited the road that was cut off, and it’s already impacting our economic and agricultural activities, especially for those who rely on the livestock market in Potiskum. I am currently on my way to meet with the Deputy Governor to discuss the situation,” Musa stated.
Efforts to reach the Controller of the Federal Ministry of Works for comments on the issue were unsuccessful, as his phone number was not reachable. Meanwhile, engineers have recommended that the federal government consider constructing a mini-bridge in the affected area to prevent the annual destruction of the road by floodwaters.
This latest incident comes on the heels of a report by SaharaReporters, which noted that flooding had claimed the lives of at least 49 people across the country in 2024, displacing thousands more in the process. The National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) highlighted ongoing concerns about the management of ecological funds, which could have been instrumental in reducing the impact of such flooding in the states affected.
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