Bauchi State House of Assembly has resolved to invite the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Alhaji Sabiu Baba to appear before it to account for the inability of the State Emergency Management to give succor to victims of flooding in the state despite approved funding.
The house reached a resolution in its plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Danlami Ahmed Kawule on Monday.
The resolution followed a motion raised by Hon. Saleh Hodi Jibir under matters of urgent public importance calling on the house to prevail on the Bauchi State Government to help out victims of flooding across the state.
Majority Leader, Hon. Tijjani Aliyu, Azare/Madangala constituency, and Hon. Yunusa Ahmad, Warji constituency observed that SEMA only visited flooded communities to sympathise with people without necessary relief materials as has been the practice.
“SEMA was proactive to visit the victims but nothing was given to them. No single item worth five naira was extended to the victims of flooding across the state,” the Majority Leader said.
He added that the house constituted an adhoc committee which worked with SEMA and went round the state to make assessment of the extent of devastations caused by flood in some parts of the state.
“Recommendations are made to the Executive Arm. “The committee worked with SEMA to carry out the assignment but up to this moment, nothing was done.
“Our responsibility is to protect the lives and property of the people. “I therefore urge the Hon. House to be proactive in its approach to matter like this,” the Majority Leader said.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Musa Wakili Nakwada, Bogoro constituency, lamented that the reputation and public image of the members of the house will be dented if care is not taken.
Hon. Nakwada said, “we went round the state for assessment last year and nothing was done. “If they (people) see us again this year what will they call us? They will call us names.”
The house concluded that the SSG be called to the house on Tuesday to explain why the government through SEMA failed to act on cases of flooding across the state.
