The Nigerian Navy Ship Lugard (NNSL) has called for collaboration and synergy between government agencies and relevant stakeholders to ameliorate the impending flooding in Kogi state as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET).
Commander NNS Lugard, Commodore Tamuno Senibo, made the call during a stakeholders forum on flood disaster management / maritime safety and security hosted by Nigerian Navy Ship Lugard under the auspices of Operation Delta Sanity III at Naval base Banda, Kogi state.
Senibo who expressed fear over the recent rise in river Niger and Benue, said that the situation calls for drastic, timely and preventive actions to forestall the adverse effects of impending floods in Kogi state.
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He said, “Today’s deliberation will be aimed at enabling planning and coordination of relief efforts to mitigate the imminent floods. It will also identify the safety and security arrangements on our waterways.
“This meeting is expected to set the framework for swift and decisive emergency responses and maintenance of safety on the waterways.
“It will similarly converse the plan for deployment of our resources, identify and fill gaps in our current strategy and refine our procedures to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency”.
The Commander NNS Lugard who pointed out that synergy of various government agencies and individuals are vital and crucial for success mitigating flood disaster, called for the commitment of Kogi state government in the area of quick response.
He thank all the stakeholders that attended the flood emergency response meeting.
The special guest of honour and Secretary to Government of Kogi state Dr Folashade Ayoade Arike in her remarks expressed the commitment of the state government under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in ensuring that no life will be lost in an event of flood disaster in the state.
She revealed that camps have been provided in all the nine local government areas often affected by flood and appealed to the people living along river banks to move up land to avoid casualties and loss of property.
“We are not praying for flooding , but I am assuring the people of the state that Kogi state government is well prepared to mitigate issues that may arise from flood disaster in the state.
“We have prepared adequately and we need the support and collaboration of all critical stakeholders to ensure that the impending flood will not cause loss of lives and property” she stated.
While commending NNS Lugard for the flood stakeholders meeting, Dr Arike pledged the support of the state government to enable Navy carry out their responsibilities seamlessly in the state.
Also in his remark the representative of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Engr. Tanmy Fiberesima , said NIWA is committed to the safety of people using water transportation, noting that collaboration with critical stakeholders is very crucial to enable the Authority delivered on its mandate.
He called for the establishment of workable and functional flood disaster management policy and information sharing between critical stakeholders for quick response during flooding.
Lieutenant Commander Yahaya Al-Mustapha in his lecture titled Waterways Safety and Security, bemoaned the incessant boat mishaps across the country that had led to loss of many innocent lives.
He however advocated for serious sensitization and sanctions on boat operators that violate maritime rules and regulations to minimize boat accidents.
