Fintiri: Floods destroyed over 13,000 houses, displaced 52,000 in Adamawa

Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa state, says floods displaced 52,000 people, damaged 13,944 houses and destroyed over 10,722 hectares of farmland across the state last year.

Speaking during a meeting with a Swiss delegation in Yola, the state capital, Fintiri said flooding severely damaged key infrastructure, including 14 bridges and seven culverts, disrupting transportation and communication networks in the state.

He commended Switzerland for its ongoing contributions to supporting victims of insurgency and displacement through partnerships with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the UN Migration.

Fintiri emphasised the importance of collaboration in addressing flood risks, implementing disaster management strategies, and capacity-building initiatives for local communities.

He called for the implementation of pilot projects, innovative flood prevention solutions, and the exploration of sustainable funding sources to support these initiatives.

Fintiri said strengthening early warning systems and adopting proactive responses are key priorities for the state government in preventing future flood disasters.

Siamak Rouhani, the deputy Swiss ambassador to Nigeria, acknowledged the recurring challenges caused by floods in Adamawa state.

Rouhani reaffirmed Switzerland’s willingness to provide technical assistance to mitigate its impact.