By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja
The Deputy Governor of Kogi state and chairman, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Joel Oyibo Salifu has called on the critical stakeholders in flood disaster to intensified effort in sensitizing and mitigating the impending flood as predicted NiMet.
Salifu stated this during a stakeholders meeting on emergency management and flood preparedness organized by SEMA in collaboration with NEMA held at Edge drive hotel in Lokoja on Tuesday.
He said that the perennial flooding has posed threat to nine local government areas in Kogi State , noting that it is high time for stakeholders to come together and develop a proactive strategy for the purpose of mitigating flood disaster in the state.
“The Government of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo will continue to invest in early warning to sensitize and enlighten the people especially citizens living and dwelling along riverine areas” he said.
While noting that government alone can not effectively address the challenges posed by flood disaster in Kogi state , the Deputy Governor urged stakeholders to support government in tackling the effects of flood in the state.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah in his welcome address, said the objectives of the stakeholders meeting was to strengthen synergy and cooperation among stakeholders in preparedness towards anticipated 2024 flood and to identified the needed support to enhance 2024 flood response.
According to him, between April and May, 2024 over 1000 households were affected by wind and rain storm in three local government areas, assuring that the agency would continue to do it’s best in managing disasters in the state.
He commended the state Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for being proactive in the management of disaster in the state, noting that the governor is working round the clock to ensure that the impending flood does not take the people by surprise.
“The agency on its part will continue to intensify efforts in mitigating the predicted flooding and sensitizing the general public. The state government has done a lot in saving life and property of its citizens and protecting the vulnerable” he said.
Hon. Atimah however, urged all the stakeholders to take issues of flood prediction by NiMET seriously in order to reduce to the nearest minimum in terms of death and loss of property.
In his goodwill message, the Ohimege Igu of Kotonkarfi, HRM Alhaji Salihu Akawu, appealed to the federal government to be proactive in finding a lasting solution to the perennial flooding affecting people living along riverine zones.
The traditional ruler who noted that people have already known their problem, urged the federal government to embarked on massive dredging with Nigerian Navy serving as a supervisory body to ensure that the contract is being executed according to specification.