Kwara govt begins probe into Shonga rice plantation flooding

…donates relief materials to victims

The Kwara State Government has dispatched a high-powered delegation to Shonga Rice Plantation in Edu Local Government Area to investigate the unusual flooding that has submerged thousands of hectares of rice farmlands.

The delegation, led by Bukola Babalola, the Deputy Chief of Staff, also delivered relief materials worth millions of naira to the affected farmers in Tada Community.

During the visit, the team met with the Emir of Shonga, Haliru Yahya Ndanusa, and victims of the flooding.

Addressing reporters, Babalola expressed the Government’s commitment to providing assistance and exploring solutions to prevent future occurrences.

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“We are here to assess the damage caused to the farmlands, particularly the rice farms in the Tada community. We have seen the extent of the devastation, and we will relay this information to His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to explore immediate and long-term remedies to minimize the impact and prevent future losses,” she said.

Babalola assured the farmers that their concerns had been noted, emphasising the Government’s resolve to support them. “Many farmers here have voiced their challenges, and help is on the way,” she added.

She thanked the community for their cooperation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to their welfare.

The Emir of Shonga, Haliru Yahya Ndanusa, lamented the devastating impact of the flooding on food security in the state. He called for a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of the flooding, which he described as “unusual.”

“From here to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Mali, there has been no rainfall. The Sahel is dry. How then is there a flood here? The source must be local,” the Emir stated.

He further revealed that preliminary inquiries ruled out Kainji Dam as the cause but raised concerns about the possible release of water from Jebba Dam.