“Our town is chiefly known for the production of dry crops
such as Guinea Corn, Onion, Rice, tomatoe and pepper, and I will like to add
that we can produce as much rice that can feed the whole Nigeria” said Alhaji
Mohammed Sambo Usman [Sarkin Gabas of
Goronyo]
as he welcomed us to his palace after a 100 km hitchhike from the Sokoto
Metropolis on January 22, 2014.
Alhaji Mohammed affirmed that some villages within the town have
been witnessing several flooding in the past years, always caused by the rise
in water level of the Goronyo Dam. Villages that are mostly affected include
Keta Village and Taloka Village, all about 20km from the Goronyo town where the
palace is situated. Unlike Gutsura in Zamfara state, Taloka has been permanently
and completely relocated to a new government – built facility for communities
displaced by floods.
 |
| Mobile Geo-tagging of flood plains within Keta Village |
Consequently, the team decided to work at
Keta Village, situated just behind the Goronyo
Dam. We sited a new health centre, as we proceeded to the village head
compound. Alhaji Garbi Jingi explained how they have been coping with incessant
flooding for 5 years. “We need the urgent construction of an elaborate
embankment that will protect the village from loss of their crops and farming
activities to flooding.
 |
| Conducting a group discussion with key community members |
The #WalktoMali team engaged the community members in a
participatory mapping, while sharing ideas and local communication that can
ensue before, during and after emergencies such as flooding. The only primary
school within Keta was established in 1979, with the old block of one classroom
dilapidated, a new block of 3 classrooms has been constructed.
 |
| During the participatory mapping |
“We always lose millions of our farming produce to flooding
during the last 3 years, and 3 people have lost their lives (2 women and a
child) in the various disasters. As Keta
village remains vulnerable to another flood, it is pertinent for concerned
organizations to help strengthen this community by building a 5km long
embankment, to prevent future disaster.
