Floods have washed snakes into my community - Rep cries out

Jos - The massive flooding in Plateau have washed snakes

from far distances into farms and residences in Pankshin/

Kanke/Kannam Federal Constituency, according to

Representative Timothy Golu.

Golu, who represents the area in the House of

Representatives, disclosed in Jos on Sunday that "all

manner of snakes" had taken over his constituency.

"The floods have pushed snakes into my constituency. They

move around openly and snake bites have become very

common there.

"As the waters pushed them, some snakes climbed trees;

others entered holes while some just held unto any straw .

All of them later descended into residences and farms

where they have been wreaking havoc," he said.

He said that the commonest species were black mamba

and carpet viper.

He said that the people used to travel to a snake clinic in

Zamko, in Langtang Local Government, but there were no

more drugs in the facility.

Also read: Kebbi Govt to assist flood victims with N200m

"The drugs are very expensive and purchasing them had

been dificult for the proprietor of the clinic because it was

always difficult or outrightly impossible for the patients to

pay," he said.

Golu advised the federal and statd governments to take

over the production of local drugs to help the generally

rural populace that had been the victims of the menace.

He said that farmers were being advised to use hand gloves

and rain boots at the farms to minimise the effect of such

bites, but lamented that many hardly heed the counsel.

The lawmaker said that some of the victims had often

preferred orthodox therapy, but observed that such therapy

had its side effects, with some victims succeedding and

surviving, while others usually die.

Golu asked the federal government to resuscitate the

production of anti-snake venom, so as to ensure massive

quantities that would be accessible and available to the

people.

"The best step will be to get the snakes' poison from the

affected areas, so that the anti-snake venom will work

effectively," he said.

Golu claimed that 26 states were at the risk of snake bites,

and called for concerted efforts to rid the society of the

reptiles.