Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Damaturu, Yobe State — Residents of Sunsunma community in Damaturu Local Government Area are grappling with the persistent effects of flooding that has plagued the area for more than five years, rendering daily life increasingly difficult and raising urgent calls for government intervention. The community, situated near a river that frequently overflows into residential areas, has seen repeated water encroachments that have displaced families, disrupted schooling, and restricted access to healthcare facilities.
Community members report that while some remedial works were initiated in 2023 — including partial grading of roads and the construction of drainage channels — the measures were incomplete and ineffective, leaving the river’s recurring floods unchecked. “Even after the drainage work, the river still enters our homes and the roads remain impassable during the rainy season,” one resident said, noting that many families have been forced to temporarily relocate as their homes are submerged.
The flooding has reportedly left children unable to attend school regularly, patients struggling to reach health centres, and residents unable to commute to markets or workplaces. Locals describe a situation in which portions of the community are effectively landlocked during peak floods, intensifying the hardship and threatening livelihoods.
Calls have intensified for the Yobe State Government and relevant federal agencies to prioritize the reclamation of land, the construction of durable road networks, and the installation of effective drainage systems capable of diverting the river safely away from residential areas. Advocacy from local leaders stresses that without comprehensive intervention, residents will continue to face repeated displacement and socio-economic disruption.
Experts suggest that addressing the flooding in Sunsunma requires a multi-faceted approach: dredging of the river, installation of retention basins, construction of elevated roads, and community‑based flood mitigation measures. Such infrastructure projects, if properly implemented, would not only improve accessibility and safety but also restore confidence in the community’s resilience and long-term development.
Residents have appealed for immediate action, warning that continued neglect may exacerbate poverty, hinder education, and deepen the humanitarian challenges in the area. “We are calling on the government to act now before more lives are disrupted,” one community leader stated, emphasising the urgency of sustainable flood control solutions.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments