Sakkwai village in Tangaza local government area of Sokoto State will soon be wiped off the map — and a new territory has been earmarked to host the 250 households.
This is because the present location housing the community has become uninhabitable due to excessive flooding, rendering farmlands and homes useless, and as seen in recent years, loss of lives and property.
After a careful study of the situation, and expert opinion that the area is not conducive for human habitation, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto state, has ordered for the relocation of the entire village to a new location on a higher ground in the same LGA.
Already, members of the community, who are presently taking refuge in some schools in neighbouring villages after being displaced due to heavy rain that submerged their entire village last month, have agreed to the move and commended the government for finding a lasting solution to their plight.
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Inspecting the damage to the area by flood at the weekend, Tambuwal said the community has suffered untold hardship year in year out, and “it becomes imperative for government to move them permanently”.
He said the government had earlier set up a committee to advise on the best solution to their plight, which recommended the relocation of the entire community.
He said that decision was communicated to the leaders of Sakkwai community who then gave their blessings.
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“As you are aware, asking people to move from their ancestral homes is not an easy thing to do. But considering the pain and trauma they have endured for years, centuries actually, they agreed to be resettled in another location. I commend their understanding.
“Government on its part will do everything to make them in their new location. We have instructed the state Emergency Management Agency to work out modalities for the resettlement. However, in the meantime, they will continue to stay at selected locations and government will continue to take care of them,” Tambuwal added.
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