Red Alert, as Kogi Govt Warns Residents on Flood Plain to Relocate Immediately

Red Alert, as Kogi Govt Warns Residents on Flood Plain to Relocate Immediately

Today, the Kogi State Government  warned residents of the state living on the flood plain of Niger and Benue rivers to relocate to upland to avoid being submerged by the anticipated floods.

The Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, who gave the warning in his office after meeting with members of  the state flood management committee,
saying the warning is sequel to the recent release of water from the Lagbo dam by the Cameroonian authorities and the warning by the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA).

Awoniyi disclosed that the Flood Management Standing Committee has identified nine local government areas  (Ibaji, Bassa, Idah, Lokoja, Kogi, Ajaokuta, Omala, Ofu and Igalamela Odolu) to be likely affected by the flooding.

He however reassured the people of the government's preparedness to mitigate the effect of the floods.

 
"I appealed to residents living on the river plain to begin preparation to evacuate from their domain.

"I don't want the incidence of 2012 to repeat itself. We were all unprepared for the flood as it last occurred 40 years ago, therefore we should now  be ready for any eventuality.

"We understand the anxieties arising from the increase in water level in some states, but I assure you that the state government is now better prepared to handle the predicted flooding." he said..

Awoniyi noted that the government had already commenced sensitisation through radio and television to inform residents of the expected areas to relocate.