SEMA Assesses Damage By Hailstorm, Promises Intervention

The Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) recently assessed farms destroyed by hailstorm in parts of Bassa Local Government Area and promised to assist the victims.
The disaster which hit the areas recently destroyed several farms including a large soya beans farm belonging to the Plateau Commissioner for Works, Mr Chris Hassan.
The Tide correspondent, who was part of the inspection team, reports that crops affected by the storm included maize, soya beans, carrots, tomatoes and cabbages among others.
The hailstorm, accompanied by rainstorm, also blew off roofs of many houses including a residential quarter at ECWA Theological College, Zabolo.
SEMA Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr Bintan Wuyep, who led the assessment team, told The Tide that its mission was to assess the level of damage.
“We are here to get an on-the-spot assessment of the level of damage caused by the storm and will report the situation to government for intervention.
“The situation is very devastating. It is sad that crops that are close to maturity were destroyed by the disaster,’’ he said.
Mr Andrew Iza, the Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, who received the SEMA team, described the disaster as “very serious’’.
Iza thanked SEMA for the visit and expressed the hope that something would be done “urgently’’ to assist the people.
The District Head of Miango, Chief Daniel Chiega, in his remarks, said that the disaster had brought “great sorrow’’ to his people.
Chiega said the storm had destroyed crops spanning seven kilometers and urged the concerned authorities to assist the victims.