FLOODING IN PLATEAU WASHED SNAKES INTO RESIDENTIAL AREAS

The flooding in Plateau State has washed snakes from far distances into farms and residences in Pankshin/Kanke/Kannam Federal Constituency, according to a member of the House of Representatives, Timothy Golu.

Golu, who represents the area in the House of Representatives, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Jos 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.

“The drugs are very expensive and purchasing them has been difficult for the proprietor of the clinic because it was always difficult or impossible for the patients to pay,’’ he said.

Golu advised the federal and state governments to take over the production of local drugs to help the rural populace that had been victims of the menace.

He said farmers were being advised to use hand gloves and rain boots while on the farms to minimise the effect of such bites, but he 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 succeeding 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 community of the reptiles.