Rainstorm destroy homes and property in Minna

Several homes and property worth millions
were on Wednesday night destroyed by
rainstorm, including the residence of a serving
commissioner in Niger state whose fence was
pulled down.
The windy rainfall which lasted for barely an
hour pulled down houses, electric poles, cut off
tree trunks some of which destroyed buildings
and shops, uprooted satellites dishes and fences
also affected a former House of Assembly
member and some affected landlords/tenants
counting their loses.
The rainstorm which occurred between the
hours of 7 and 8 in the night affected mostly
areas around the old state secretariat,
Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS)
through the federal secretariat, Dutsen Kura-
Gwari, Dutsen Kura-Hausa, western by-pass
through Bosso estate.
Academic activities could not continue in some
primary and secondary schools within Minna
metropolis as pupils including that of, Kwasau
Model school within the Dutsen Kura-Gwari
area were send home due to damages to school
structure.
While the roof top of one of the structures were
blown off and deposited behind another block
inside the Kwasau School, the situation in and
around GGSS, Minna was not far from similar
experience though with minimal damage.
One of the victims, Mr. James Osakeme narrated
how his car got damaged by the rainstorm
which had uprooted his neighbours’ satellite
dish and depositing same on top of his car
parked within their compound in Dutsen Kura
area.
Consequently, residents of the badly affected
areas, including cold-room operators are
counting their losses due to days without
electricity as they have been thrown into
darkness which has affected businesses in the
area.
The Business Manager (Bosso Business unit),
Power Holding Company Nigeria (PHCN),
Engineer Paul Onwuzulike in reaction to the
rainstorm lamented the extent of damage the
Wednesday night incident had on the company’s
facilities.
Owuzulike who appealed for the understanding
of people thrown into darkness by constant
power failure basically due to the frequent
havoc wrecked rainstorm said, “I have never
experienced this kind of rainstorm damage to
facilities anywhere before”.
He however lamented inadequate manpower
and facilities to meet the extent and frequency
of damage the unit encounters as a result of
rainstorm, coupled with the increase in number
of customers over-stretching facilities in Dutsen
Kura-Gwari in particular solicited for the
understanding of customers.