Government of Gombe State has sent a delegation on condolence to Kaltungo Local Government following the death of four youths swept by a raging flood while trying to remove a pick- up van that was held in the sand.
The high-powered delegation on Saturday led by the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Jatau, who urged the Mai Kaltungo and his subjects to accept the incidence as a divine providence, while lamenting the death of the youths who died in the process of eking out a living and left behind families and dependents.
Jatau said, “Your Royal Highness, we have always hoped to visit your Chiefdom during a joyous moment, especially that the Commissioning of the Mosque is around the corner.
“But as it is , according to divine arrangement, we have come on a sad note to condole with the Mai and the people of your Chiefdom over the death of four people who were drowned in a river. I enjoined us to accept this in good faith as God, our maker knows all.
“Since I have been told that, the drowning of people in the river is a yearly occurrence, we will direct the Commissioner of Works to make assessment and advised the government on the next line of action in order to stop this menace.”
Responding, the Mai Kaltungo, Engr. Saleh Mohammed, appreciated the concern of the Government to sympathise with them over the deaths.
He noted that every year people’s lives were lost over what he described as preventable.
The monarch urged the government to come to their aid by constructing bridges over the rivers in Popandi and Banganje to forestall future occurrence.
He said, “The position of Kaltungo is situated on hills and cliffs which makes formation of rivers possible. Our farms are located across rivers and our people must go to the farms to survive. This incident happened when one of our youths who owned a peugeot( pick-up) van got stucked in the sand while attempting to cross a river since there is no bridge. In the process they were drowned, and we lost four youths, in three families.”
“We are appealing to the state Government to come to our aid and stop this yearly incidences of loss of lives and properties. We are tired of burying our youths in the process of struggling to have ends meet.”
The Mai who spoke amidst tears said, “As Traditional Rulers we value every life in the Society therefore we are so much pained when a single life is lost, let alone four at a time. We pray God Almighty grants them eternal rest.”
The Chairman Kaltungo Local Government Council, Hon. Faruk Umar, expressed appreciation to Governor Muhammadu Yahaya for sending the delegation under his Deputy to sympathise with them, praying God to bless them.
Speaking at the residence of one of the victims, Mal. Alhassan Maina appreciated the government’s delegation for coming to commiserate with them over the deaths, praying God to reward the officials abundantly.
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