The Kogi State Government says urgent emergency intervention is required to tackle the ravaging flood that has submerged more than 70 communities across the Confluence state.
The State Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu, raised an alarm after an inspection tour to Edeha, one of the riverine communities in Koton-Karfe Local Government Area of the State.
Comrade Salifu, who also serves as Chairman of 2024 Kogi State Flood Disaster Response Committee, admitted that the current challenge is beyond capacity of the state government to handle alone.
According to him, despite the State government’s proactive measures towards handling the flood this year, the present situation in Edeha and other communities along the route have gone way beyond its control.
He said; “It is obvious that the present situation is beyond what the Kogi state Government can handle, we cannot do it alone. It is clear that over 70 communities have been affected by the flood and thousands of homes and farmlands submerged”.
The Deputy Governor lamented that the number of damaged properties, including farmlands, were yet to be ascertained, even as he expressed happiness that no life has been lost in the affected communities.
On measures so far taken by the government, Comrade Salifu said most of inhabitants of the affected areas have been relocated to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
At the Palace of the Ohimege of Kotonkarfe, where his team informed the traditional rulers of government’s efforts in handling the flood disaster, the Deputy Governor explained that traditional rulers have been drafted into the Disaster Response Committee, set up by the State Government to handle the flood issues.
Meanwhile, recounting challenges faced by his people, the Community’s Paramount Ruler, Ohimegye Kotonkarfe, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Saidu Akawu-Salihu said; “Beyond Edeha, all communities along those routes have been submerged. We have such communities like Gaduma, Gabor, Ikumo, Edama, and others all under water as we speak.
“Clearly, our community is facing serious emergency situation and in dire need of urgent intervention from the Federal and State governments as well as well-meaning individuals to overcome this hugely challenging situation that has unfortunately disrupted our daily lives.”
Maintaining that the destruction is more than what the team saw, the Royal Father further lamented that; “If you go to the Northern side of Kotonkarfe, you will see communities such as Apaku, Egasema, Oka, Agwo and others also being submerged”.
Specifically, he said communities in the Kotonkarfe Council Area are the worst hit by the flood, adding; “Our Local Government area is the most affected as the three zones in this area are all riverine; flooding is a perennial occurrence in our area.
“We are happy that the State Government is proactive. Your presence here has consoled the people and reiterates the fact that the government is responsive”.
Importantly, HRM Akawu-Salihu assured the visiting team that his palace was ready to assist the Rapid Response Committee set up by the State Government, stressing that “the job has just begun, and you should see us as partners in progress.”
In his comments, the Chief of Edeha community, Abdullahi Isah, who confirmed that over 70 communities in the area are already submerged, praised the State government for its prompt action that have saved lives and property.
“We have all moved to higher ground, and most of our people are presently at the IDP camps established in the community.
Also commenting on the latest development, the State Executive Secretary, Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA), Mr. Mourktar Atimah said the government has set up 48 IDP camps across the three senatorial districts to address the flood emergency and its adverse effects on affected communities in the State.
He said with the Disaster Response Committee in place, the State is better prepared to handle issues that may arise from the flood, with the promise not to neglect the victims, but do the best for them.
