Kwara Governor Raises Probe Panel as Flood Submerges Rice Farmlands in Shonga

Following the release of excess water from a dam, many rice farmlands in Shonga, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, have been submerged by devastating flooding. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday.

Sources told LEADERSHIP that the flooding caused significant damage to rice farmlands in Shonga and nearby areas, including Bida in Niger State. The scale of the destruction has prompted Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to establish a committee to investigate the unusual flooding in the region.

The committee, chaired by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Princess Bukola Babalola, includes the commissioners for Agriculture, Water Resources, and Environment, as well as other key officials, including the Special Adviser on Special Duties, the Senior Special Assistant on Security, and representatives from the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency and the State Social Investment Programme.

A statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, stated that the committee would visit the affected areas for a fact-finding mission. The team will also deliver the government’s condolence message to His Royal Highness, Emir of Shonga, Dr. Haliru Yahyah Ndanusa (OON), and to the victims of the flooding.

Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, Chairman of Edu Local Government Area, confirmed the flooding, attributing it to the opening of a dam elsewhere. He added that both his team and the state government delegation had visited Shonga for an on-the-spot assessment and to offer condolences to the Emir and affected families.

“There has been significant flooding of rice farmlands in Shonga, caused by the release of water from a dam. My team and the state government delegation have visited Shonga to assess the situation and to commiserate with the Emir and the victims,” Bello said on Sunday evening.