Flooding has destroyed homes, fish ponds and vast farmlands in Muye and adjoining communities in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, following the overflow of River Gurara after heavy rainfall.

The Etsu Muye, Alhaji Salihu Muhammadu, disclosed this during an inspection of an ongoing water control wall project being constructed by the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) at a cost of N700 million.

The traditional ruler expressed concern over the slow pace of construction, urging the contractor to accelerate work as the peak of the rainy season approaches.

According to him, several fish ponds and farmlands, which provide livelihoods for residents, have been submerged and filled with sand following the flooding.

“Even our market has been taken over by the water. The roads connecting communities have also been cut off. We are calling on the government and the contractor to complete the construction of the water control wall before more damage is done to the communities,” he said.

The monarch said the encroachment of the river had become a serious threat to the lives and livelihoods of residents, stressing the need for urgent intervention.

Responding, the Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, represented by the Director of Finance and Administration, Haruna Jimoh Gabi, said funds had been released to the contractor.

He attributed the slow pace of the project to technical challenges, noting that a substantial amount had already been paid for the execution of the work.

Also speaking, the member representing Agaie/Lapai Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Abdullahi Mahmud, expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of construction.

“The pace of construction is not encouraging. There is a need to complete the construction of this water control embankment on time to save communities from further disaster,” he said.

Residents are now relying on the completion of the water control wall to protect their homes, farmlands and other sources of livelihood from further flooding as rainfall intensifies.