By Thompson Yamput
Heavy Rainstorm has ripped off the roof of an office block in the headquarters of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in Kogi.
The Rain Storm, which occured between 8.30 p.m.and 930 p.m. of Thursday also wrecked havoc in some parts of Lokoja.
Metropolis.
Mr. Suleiman Makama, NIWA’s Assistant General Manager (AGM) Corporate Affairs, who confirmed the incident said that the storm torn off the roof housing the engineering, Survey, Special duties, Project management, Area office coordination departments.
He described the incident as devastating and very unfortunate considering the destruction to sensitive equipment and other facilities of the various departments.
“One other serious challenge is the affected staff of those departments, who have been displaced and rendered officeless, ” he said.
The storm also damaged a 33KVA transformer opposite the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, resulting in a fire outbreak that destroyed five fuel dispensing pumps at the A.A. Rano Filling Station.
The filling station has since been shut down following the incident, with only one dispensing machine left intact.
Other locations affected by the storm include the Police Area Command near the Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Works, where a large tree was uprooted by the strong winds.
Along IBB Way, at least three trees were pulled down, though no casualties were recorded, while several billboards were also destroyed in different parts of the metropolis.
A relaxation spot opposite the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists was equally damaged by the storm.
At the frontage of the Kogi State Tourism Board, a fallen tree destroyed electricity lines, plunging the area into darkness.
Similarly, along Murtala Muhammed Way, a tree fell on a moving vehicle. Witnesses said the lone occupant of the car was immediately evacuated, although the condition of the victim could not be confirmed at press time.(ephemeralnews.com.ng)
