Bashir Opaluwa Idris
The Kogi State House of Assembly has called on the State Government to urgently intervene in the devastating flooding that has affected several communities in Bassa Local Government Area, following damage to the Oguma-Sheria Bridge.
The call followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Member representing Bassa State Constituency, Hon. Sunday Daku, during Tuesday’s plenary in Lokoja.
Presenting the motion, Hon. Daku said heavy rainfall recorded on September 28, 2026, caused severe flooding in Bassa, resulting in significant damage to the Oguma-Sheria Bridge and several surrounding communities.
He identified Gbogboligbo, Koriko one and two, Kpekpere, Shemeje and Orokwo-Ibuse in Akuba two among the communities badly affected by the flooding.
According to him, the Oguma-Sheria Bridge is a critical link connecting the affected communities with the local government headquarters and major commercial centres, serving farmers, traders, students and patients who depend on it daily.
The lawmaker said the flooding had destroyed homes, farmlands, farm produce and other properties, leaving several families displaced and without adequate access to shelter, food, clean water and medical care.
Supporting the motion, the lawmaker representing Yagba West Constituency, Hon. Idowu Ibikunle, expressed solidarity with the people of Bassa, noting that communities in his constituency were also experiencing the impact of the flooding.
He specifically highlighted the situation in Ogbe community, where the Oyi Bridge, which provides a critical link between the community and the Yagba West Local Government headquarters, had also been affected by the flooding.
In his submission, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, described the situation as a matter of concern, noting that communities across different parts of the state had been affected by flooding.
The Speaker therefore urged the State Government, through the Ministry of Works, to immediately assess and repair the Oguma-Sheria Bridge, particularly by constructing a protective embankment.
He also called on the state government, in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency and the Ministry of Health, to urgently provide relief materials to affected communities.
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