Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
In a significant move to alleviate the plight of disaster-affected communities, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has announced plans to construct 200 permanent housing units for victims of recurrent floods and windstorms in Kebbi State.
The announcement was made by NEMA Director General, Hajiya Zubaida Umar, during the official handover of relief materials to the Kebbi State Government. The event, held in the state capital, was attended by senior government officials, traditional rulers, and community leaders.
Hajiya Umar stated that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to providing lasting solutions for disaster victims.
“The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is committed to providing sustainable solutions for disaster victims,” she said. “These housing units will offer permanent shelter to families displaced by natural disasters across Kebbi State.”
The intervention follows a series of devastating climate-related events that have affected six local government areas: Shanga, Suru, Bunza, Danko-Wasagu, Koko-Besse, and Augie. According to estimates by the State Emergency Management Agency, over 15,000 people were displaced in 2024 alone, with more than 3,200 homes destroyed by floods and windstorms.
Addressing the broader humanitarian crisis in the state, Umar acknowledged the dual challenges of climate disasters and insecurity, particularly banditry. “While security issues persist, we cannot ignore the recurring floods and windstorms that displace thousands annually,” she said.
The immediate relief package includes the distribution of food and non-food items: 2,000 bags of rice (50kg), 1,500 bags of maize, 1,000 cartons of noodles, 500 kegs of vegetable oil, 5,000 mosquito nets, and 2,500 blankets, among other essentials.
Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Nasiru Idris, lauded NEMA’s swift and impactful response, calling the planned housing project “unprecedented in the state’s disaster management history.”
“We particularly welcome the 200 housing units which will provide lasting solutions beyond temporary relief,” Governor Idris said. “This complements our state’s ongoing efforts to establish more disaster-resilient communities.”
NEMA officials confirmed that construction will begin in the third quarter of the year, with 50 housing units expected to be completed by December.
Urban planning expert, Dr. Aminu Bello of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, emphasized the importance of climate-resilient construction standards. “While these houses are needed, they must be built to climate-resilient standards, considering Kebbi’s vulnerability to floods. Elevated foundations and proper drainage are non-negotiable,” he cautioned.
For residents like Malam Haruna Sani, a flood victim from Shanga, the announcement has brought a sense of hope. “We’ve received relief materials before, but permanent houses will change our lives—if truly delivered,” he said.
Kebbi State has seen a worrying rise in climate-related disasters in recent years. In 2022 alone, over 100 communities were affected by flooding, and in 2023, more than 800 houses were destroyed by windstorms.
The housing project stands as NEMA’s largest single disaster recovery investment in Northwest Nigeria this year, signaling a shift towards more durable and preventive responses to environmental disasters in the region.