By
Babangida Galleon
Adamawa State government has warned residents living in flood prone areas to relocate to safer grounds as Nimet alerts the state government on impending flood in some local government areas in the state.
The state Commissioner for information and strategy James Iliya made this known while briefing government house correspondence shortly after the 14th state executive council meeting chaired by the state governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri at the council chamber government house Yola.
The Commissioner of Information and Strategy James Iliya explained that NiMET has alerted the state government on its forecast on heavy rainfall for three days starting from the 16th of September with possibility of flooding in Madagali, Mubi South, Shelleng, Demsa , Numan and Yola North and South local government areas, hence the call by the state government to residents to relocate to safer grounds.
James Iliya noted that the state governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has directed that all commissioners should go back to their local government areas and enlightened their people on the effects of flooding and measures to be taken in order to remain safe.
According to him the Adamawa state government has equally commiserated with the people of Maiduguri the Borno state capital over the recent flooding that has affected lives and property of the people.
While laying more emphasis on the alert, the commissioner for environment Sadik Mohammed and Commissioner for health Felix Tangwami warned that residents should heed to the warning and move to safer grounds as the state government has on its part made arrangements for any eventuality or diseases outbreak as a result of flooding.
The council during the meeting approved the award of contract for the extension of the Samunaka water drainage from the FGGC to behind Air Force comprehensive school, to Triacta Nigeria limited at the cost of three billion, nine hundred and forty two million, three hundred and seventy two thousand , nine hundred and eighty nine naira, thirty three kobo with a completion period of six months.
Further explaining on the awarded project, the Commissioner of Works and energy development Adamu Atiku said it is a known fact that some areas in the state capital are experiencing flooding and the government is making move to address that by constructing storm drainages at different parts of the state capital and this is no exception.
The 2.5 kilometers stretched storm drainage will be connected to the various culverts so that it can help address other flooding areas, which according to him is a major intervention by the state governor that will go a long way in addressing the perennial flooding that is always experienced during the rainy season.
The executive council also approved the hand over of the Mubi general hospital which was recently upgraded, to a Federal Medical center which will be done by signing of the memorandum of understanding in days to come.
Commenting on the development, the commissioner of Health, Felix Tangwami said the handing over of the upgraded general hospital is very important to the people as it will lessen long distance referrals to tertiary health facilities and reduce hardships and difficulties experienced by patients.
The Commissioner also revealed that the council has equally approved the 2025 budget indicative framework of two hundred and sixty eight billion, eight hundred and seventy two million, five hundred and twenty one thousand, one hundred and two naira as defined by medium term expenditure framework , economic and fiscal update.
According to him this was aimed at addressing critical areas of objectives which are achieving fiscal discipline, providing proper allocation for efficiency and for technical efficiency in the spending of the state’s budget now that the 2025 budget is almost near.
Also commenting on the approval, the commissioner for Budget, Anthony Piridimso said the medium term expenditure framework and economic and fiscal update is a guide to preparation of yearly budget which is nationally and internationally accepted.
According him, this guide help in preparing budget by considering all parameters like the national inflation, GDP, exchange rates and others in order to determine what the state needed for its budget.
