1 month ago
16 ARTICLE AD
The Kogi State Government has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently intervene as floods have ravaged 70 communities in the state.
The state’s Deputy Governor, Joel Salifu, made the appeal during an inspection tour of the Edeha community in the Kogi Local Government Area, which has been affected by the flood.
Salifu was accompanied by the Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, and other members of the flood committee.
Salifu, who also serves as the State Chairman of the 2024 Kogi State Flood Disaster Response Committee, stated that despite the state’s preparedness for the flood, the current situation in Edeha and other communities along the route has surpassed what the state alone can handle.
“It is obvious that the present situation is beyond what the Kogi State Government can manage; we cannot do it alone.
“It is clear that over 70 communities have been affected by the flood, with thousands of homes and farmlands submerged.
“The number of damaged properties, including farmlands, is yet to be ascertained. As such, the intervention of the Federal Government is urgently needed in the affected areas,” Salifu said.
He expressed relief that no lives have been lost, as most of the affected communities have moved to the Internally Displaced Persons camps set up by the state.
The deputy governor assured the commitment of the state to doing its utmost to alleviate the suffering of those affected.
He affirmed that all necessary steps have been put in place at the 48 IDP camps established across the state, two of which are in Kotonkarfe, Kogi.
Also speaking, the State Executive Secretary of the Emergency Management Agency, Mourktar Atimah, stated that the state has set up 48 IDP camps across the three senatorial districts to address the effects of the flood.
Atimah noted that with the establishment of the State Disaster Response Committee, the state is better prepared to handle issues that may arise from the flood.
He promised that the state would not neglect the victims and would do its best for them.
In his response, the Chief of the Edeha community, Abdullahi Isah, commended the State Government for its promptness in visiting them.
Isah, who corroborated the deputy governor’s plea for the Federal Government’s assistance, stated that about 70 to 80 communities have been affected by the flood, describing it as a perennial occurrence.
Isah said, “We appreciate the presence of the Deputy Governor today, but we beg the FG to come in to assist us.
“We have all moved to higher ground, and most of our people are currently at the IDP camps.
“We appeal to the Federal Government, corporate and international organisations, and individuals to come to our aid.
“We know the state government has compassion, but they cannot do it alone. Please, we need help.”
The team had earlier visited the Palace of the Ohimegye of Kotonkarfe, where the deputy governor informed the traditional ruler of the state government’s efforts in addressing the flood disaster.
The deputy governor stated that traditional rulers have been included as part of the Disaster Response Committee set up by the State Government to manage the flood issues.
The Ohimegye of Kotonkarfe, HRM Saidu Akawu-Salihu, urged the state government to assist the council area, saying the destruction was greater than what the team observed.
Akawu-Salihu remarked, “I know the communities you visited are those along the main road, but the destruction is much more extensive.
“Beyond Edeha, which you visited, all communities along those routes have been submerged.
“We have communities like Gaduma, Gabor, Ikumo, Edama,
and others, all under water as we speak.
“If you go to the northern side of Kotonkarfe, you will see communities such as Apaku, Egasema, Oka, Agwo, and others also submerged.
“Our Local Government Area is the most affected, as all three zones in this area are riverine; flooding is a perennial occurrence here.
“We are pleased that the State Government is proactive. Your presence here has consoled the people and reaffirms the fact that the government is responsive.”
The monarch expressed his readiness to assist the Rapid Response Committee set up by the State Government, stating, “The job has just begun; see us as partners in progress.”
