Some communities having experienced flooding in Kogi State, YEKINI JIMOH writes about governmental efforts to ensure that the devastation due to as seen in the state two years ago does not recur.
Though the magnitude and impact of recent flooding in Kogi State have not been as severe as that of 2022, the state government and stakeholders are putting measures in place to prevent a recurrence.
Only recently, the state government said it has established 42 IDP camps across eight flood prone local government areas namely Kogi, Lokoja, Bassa, Igalamela/Odolu, Ajaoukta, Idah, Ibaji and Ofu.
The Kogi State Government has also opened up a 5km alternative route in Nyamanyama Village along Ganaja – Ajaokuta Road, to serve as a bypass incase the original Ganaja Road becomes impassable due to flooding.
The state governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, had earlier directed the Flood Disaster Response Team to immediately open up an alternate road to ensure that motorists do not suffer from the hardship of possible blockage of the main road by the increasing level of flood waters in the area.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that motorists and passengers were not subjected to a hellish experience on the road.
The chairman of the Flood Disaster Response Team and deputy governor of the state, Joel Salifu Oyibo, said the response team had responded swiftly to the directive of the governor to quickly open up an alternate road in the area.
Commissioner for Works and a member of the Flood Disaster Response Team, Mohammed Yusuf, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the road.
He stressed that the measure had shown “responsive governance” on the part of the governor.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications and a member of the team, Kingsley Fanwo, who spoke to newsmen after inspecting the work on Sunday, said the flood waters had reached an alarming stage at the moment.
He noted that the popular Ganaja – Ajaokuta Road remained the gateway to the South-East and South-South Nigeria, and it is used by hundreds of thousands of commuters every day.
“Over the years, commuters went through hell on that road in flood periods, but this measure is no doubt a saving measure.
“The flood is already devastating. Properties worth billions have already been lost. Houses, farmlands and other valuables have been washed away.
“Only 25 percent of Ibaji Local Government is above water level right now. The remaining 75 percent is under the water.
“Also, the entire Kupa District has been submerged. Ajaokuta, Gegu, Edeha and many other communities are already counting their losses.
“The Federal Government should come to the rescue of Kogi State. Our resources are stretched as we strive to save the situation”, Fanwo said.
In response to the rising levels of the River Niger and Benue, as well as the 2024 flood prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the Kogi State Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management, said it has established 42 internally displaced persons camps in the state
This was disclosed during an emergency meeting with key stakeholders to discuss strategies for emergency management and response to the impending flood disaster, to minimise its impact unlike in previous years when the flood took the state by surprise.
In his opening address, Oluwasegun called for a unified response to the impending flood threat, highlighting the need for seamless collaboration among stakeholders.
He further emphasized the need to intensify public sensitisation efforts so that flood prone communities are adequately informed and prepared to respond to the disaster.
While presenting an update on the flood preparedness efforts, the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, revealed that 42 IDP camps have been established across eight local government areas, with nine flood-prone areas identified, and approximately 250,000 people expected to be displaced. He added that an Emergency Operation Centre would be established to facilitate effective coordination and response to the flood situation.
He, however, noted that water levels had risen, highlighting the need for persistent vigilance and prompt action to mitigate the impact of the impending flood.
Meanwhile, the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has also warned people living along river banks in the state to relocate to high grounds to avoid the devastating impact of the impending flood as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
The Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC, Abubarka Sadiq Yelwa, gave the warning last Saturday during a sensitisation campaign at the palace of Ata Igala and Eje- Ibaji in Idah Local Government Area, seeking support to move people living along the river banks to the high grounds.
Sadiq Yelwa, who described flooding as a natural disaster that nobody could stop, said the menace of flooding in prone areas can only be managed to reduce heavy devastation as witnessed in 2022 in Kogi and other states across the country.
“We are at the forefront of giving early warning to all the N-HYPPADEC communities. We have been sensitising and calling on the Federal Government to declare state of emergency because of the warning we received from NiMet and the signs of flooding we have seen or heard from the locals.
“The situation is alarming and scary. That is why the commission is calling on members of N-HYPPADEC communities to be wary of the situation and be at alert because flooding can occur even at night.”
As part of efforts to enhance preparedness for the impending flood predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NIMET), the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also recently held a strategic meeting with the Commander of Command Naval Base Bandar, Lokoja, Commodore T. Senibo, to fashion out how to mitigate the impending flood.
The meeting was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and SEMA in disaster management, particularly in environmental sanitation and clearing of drainage and canals to aid effective flood management.
Commodore Senibo emphasised the Navy’s readiness to partner with stakeholders in disaster management.
Special Adviser to the governor on SEMA, Dr Sandra Musa, commended the Navy’s commitment to disaster management, stressing that effective flood management requires a multi-faceted approach and appreciated the Navy’s willingness to collaborate with SEMA.
She emphasised that the state government remain committed to mitigating the impact of flooding on the identified communities.
Dr Musa equally reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to flood mitigation and preparedness, highlighting SEMA’s repositioning and the state government’s support for effective service delivery in mitigating natural disasters.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently authorised a N108 billion fund to help states address natural disasters, with each state receiving N3 billion.
This decision comes as a response to severe flooding affecting northern states and the threat of flooding and erosion in the South, particularly in the Southeast and Kaduna.
Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area traditional council, Chief John Egwuemi, appealed to the Federal Government to make funds available to the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) to enable it carry out its mandate.
He made the plea when he received a delegation from the Ibaji Flood Plains Community Management Multipurpose Cooperative Society (IFPCMPCS) led by its chairman, Dr Joy Ukoje, in Idah.
Chief Egwuemi said the Ibaji traditional council was ready to work with IFPCMPCS to make life easy for the people of Ibaji.
The traditional ruler who said Ibaji was often the worst hit in Kogi State during the annual flood, also called on well-meaning individuals, organisations and relevant government agencies to help mitigate the flooding in the area, saying that flooding had placed Ibaji Local Government Area in a disadvantaged position as the worst impacted area in terms of natural disaster and disruptions to their livelihoods.
He advised HYPPADEC to continue to be thorough and carry the communities along especially in developing a strategy for addressing the yearly flooding that negatively impacts Ibaji people.
He therefore thanked HYPPADEC for collaborating with IFPCMPCS for the initiative on the development of community shelters in Ibaji communities.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Bashiru Gegu, has supported people ravaged by flood in Edeha Community of Kogi LGA with cash and roofing sheets worth millions of naira.
The commissioner, who made the donation while on a visit to the community, urged them to rebuild their houses as well as relocate to higher ground.
Bashiru donated cash of N.5million to the Edeha community as well as roofing sheets to those ravaged by flood to rebuild their houses.
He sympathised with those affected, assured that efforts to provide long term measures and support for them is on the way by the relevant agencies.
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