Flooding: House of Assembly Committee on Environment writes SEMA over proactive measures »

…sends note of caution, appeal to citizens

The Chairman, Kogi State House of Assembly committee on Environment (and other matters) and member representing Ajaokuta, Hon. Jibril Abu has written to the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on the need to take necessary proactive measures to mitigate against and avoid damages that the looming flooding could cause.

In a letter made available to the press Hon. Abu also cautioned citizen not to take the warnings for granted and appealed to them to relocate from terrains that are prone to be affected.

Part of his letter reads ‘’The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have both predicted at different times heavy flooding in its weather forecast for 2023. In this light, Nigerians are notified that Cameron officials have resolved to open the floodgates of Lagdo Dam on the Benue River due to the heavy rains around the Dam Catchment area In Northern Cameroon. Kogi State is always on the red alert as soon as Dams are released’’.

He recalled that the years 2012, 2015 & 2022 were years that left the people living on the plains with bitter pills to swallow. In 2012, the level of destruction was so massive with about an estimated 70,000 houses affected, while many deaths were recorded. Farmlands and property worth billions of Naira already went with the bitter experience. The state was overwhelmed, he added.

The legislator affirmed that with the volume of water forecast for the year 2023, more than in 2012 & 2022, one can only imagine what the level of devastation, if proactiveness isn’t prioritized.

He said that the entire public, and with particular reference, the 9 LGAs in Kogi State which are Idah, Ajaokuta, Ibaji, Ijumu, Igalamela/Odolu, Kogi/Koto, Lokoja, Ofu & Bassa Local Government Areas living along the River Niger & Benue must be vigilante whilst all necessary precautions are put in place.

The Legislator also on behalf of the House of Assembly advocated that SEMA should sensitise the populace living in such areas to be vigilante and at best, relocate to safer places until when the floods recede.

This is trusting that in the course of implementing the Federal and State Government’s Palliative distribution through your Agency to cushion the effects of the Natural Disaster, violation of public trust will be far from you, he concluded.