Flood: Kogi Deputy Governor meets with NEMA, SEMA, others »

In a move to scale up advocacy and expedite relief to communities affected by the current flooding in Kogi state, the Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Edward Onoja today, the 17th of September, hosted the Executive Secretary of Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, Julius Mejiyan, representatives of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Red Cross Society and other critical stakeholders to discuss ways to mitigate the effects of flooding in the State.

The Leader of the delegation and Assistant Director Training NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Usman stated that the need for an advocacy visit to Kogi State became pertinent with the rising level of water and risk of flooding in the region. He said that Kogi was an important State due to its innumerable contribution to the nation’s economy – especially food production.

He however expressed regret at the billions of naira lost to the flood yearly, drastically limiting the potential that the State provides. He particularly highligted the 2012 flood in the region as most regrettable, while pointing out the desire of NEMA in stopping a reoccurence. Usman mentioned Bassa, Dekina, Lokoja and Omala amongst others as areas susceptible to flood damage whilst encouraging the State Government increase Public enlightenment campaigns and prepare for possible evacuation, Identify high grounds for possible IDP camps, De-silt river channels and canals and remove all refuse and weeds from river channels and gutters so as to allow free flow of the water.

The Deputy Governor, and Chairman, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, Chief Edward Onoja, in his remark, appreciated NEMA and the emergency team for helping to mitigate the negative effects of flooding in the state.

Onoja also praised President Muhammadu Buhari for being prompt in responding to issues of natural disasters, and the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Umar Farouk for always putting herself on the line in providing relief for affected Nigerians.

The Deputy Governor pointed out that this year’s flooding bears more devastating consequences being that the year is witnessing a double disaster; firstly the COVID-19 pandemic and now flooding. He said the effects of these on the overall agricultural output of the country would be monumental.

He however noted that the Kogi State government, having envisioned this was proactive in public sensitization and putting in place mechanisms to greatly mitigate the effect of the double disaster, and thanked Governor Bello for the approval and immediate release of funds and critical relief materials to reduce the damage already caused by the flooding in some local government areas along the coastline.

While calling on stakeholders including the private sector to join hands at this critical time in ensuring that succor comes to the affected, Onoja assured the NEMA team of adequate security during their assignment in the state.