By Thompson Yamput
The Kogi State Government has made an urgent appeal to the Federal Government to construct dams and dredge the Rivers Niger and Benue to alleviate the devastating effects of flooding in the state.
Gov. Usman Ododo made the call in Lokoja on Thursday, when Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) paid him a courtesy visit in response to the flooding in the state.
Ododo, speaking through his deputy, Elder Salihu Oyibo, described the situation as “devastating and overwhelming”.
The governor expressed gratitude that no lives had been lost due to proactive measures, but noted that the devastation level was beyond the state government’s capacity.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to assist in constructing dams to contain the overflow from dams in Cameroon and other Nigerian states.
He said that dredging the Rivers Niger and Benue would help reduce flood impacts.
“Nine out of 21 Local Government Areas have been affected; displacing over 420 communities with 42 Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camps across the state.
“Schools and farmlands, including a N10 billion rice farm project in Ibaji Local Government Area, have been submerged.”
Hajiya Umar, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Director-General, visited the state to address the flood situation and collaborate with the state government.
Umar, Who was represented by Dr Onimode Bamidele, expressed her heartfelt sympathy to the government and people of Kogi for the unfortunate flood disaster that has affected many communities, displaced persons, and impacted livelihoods and infrastructure.
“Kogi state’s unique confluence location, where the Benue and Niger rivers converge, requires heightened vigilance and preparedness to mitigate the flood risks, particularly along the riparian communities.
“The forecasting agencies of the Federal Government had issued alarming predictions regarding the likelihood of severe flooding in the country.
“Upon receiving these forecasts, NEMA took immediate action, analyzing the potential impacts and communicating proactive measures to mitigate and, where possible, prevent the worst outcomes.
“Public sensitization and stakeholder engagement were also key to ensuring that the necessary precautions were adopted in time, which significantly reduced the high-level impacts in some areas.
“I personally activated our operational office and deployed the Director of Search and Rescue, along with technical officers, to assist in rescue operations and assess the extent of the damage in collaboration with your State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other stakeholders.
“This visit underscores the importance of continued collaboration between NEMA and the Kogi state government, as well as other relevant stakeholders, to ensure that the flood impact is minimized and that displaced persons receive the necessary assistance and relief,” she said.
She expressed sympathy for the affected communities and emphasised the importance of vigilance and preparedness due to Kogi’s unique confluence location.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NEMA took immediate action upon receiving forecasts, analysing potential impacts, and communicating proactive measures to mitigate the worst outcomes.
Public sensitisation and stakeholder engagement helped reduce high-level impacts in some areas.
Some of the victims pleaded for government assistance, particularly food and water, to alleviate their suffering within the camps.
NEMA and SEMA officials assured timely intervention, especially in providing portable drinking water within two hours. NAN
