The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, 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) and other critical stakeholders in talks regarding how 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.
Chief Onoja said that Governor Yahaya Bello has remained consistent throughout his reign in reducing the scourge of the yearly flood. He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk for their proactiveness and passion in ensuring that succour comes the way of those affected.
Chief Onoja further explained that the advocacy against flood has always been a major mainstay in the New Direction government, commending the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for the approval and immediate release of funds and critical relief materials to reduce the damage already caused by the flood in some LGAs along the coastline. He appealed to the SEMA to encourage the addition of voluntary and capable hands to help in the discharge of their duties.
He then proceeded to the State Secretariat for a stakeholder meeting, charging all the organizations present to swiftly turn all the knowledge garnered into physical work on the field.
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