By Emmanuel Oluwakorede
Kogi State Government has appealed for support to ameliorate the devastation caused by flood in some Local Government Areas in the State.
Secretary of the State Flood Response Committee, Alh. Mouktar Atima made the appeal while addressing Newsmen shortly after an on-the-spot assessment at Ibaji, Idah, Ofu and Ajaokuta Local Government Areas.
From Ibaji, an Agrarian Area to Idah, Itobe District in Ofu and Ajaokuta Local Government Areas, farmlands and houses have been taken over by water while farmers are already counting their losses.
Some farmers in Ibaji, Egwemi Celestine and Arome Destiny said apart from their houses which have been ravaged by water, farmlands of Yam, Cassava sugar cane plantation have been destroyed by water.
The Secretary of the Flood Response Committee, Alhaji Mouktar Atima said the devastation caused by the disaster is beyond the capacity of the State Government, appealing to the Federal Government and corporate bodies and public spirited individuals to assist the victims.
According to him, more water will be released from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, urging those still living at the flood prone Areas to move to higher ground.
He noted that the visit was to ascertain the level of destruction to assist government in planning for succour expected to be distributed soon.
The Committee, comprising of representative from Ministries of Agriculture, Humanitarian Affairs, Deputy Governor’s Office and top government Appointtees also visited the Palaces of Onu Itobe, Alh. Salihu Adaji Ocholi and Onu of Ajaokuta, Mustapha Ayeniba where the Secretary urged them to prevail on their subjects to relocate to higher grounds.
While the Onu Itobe advised Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to prevail on the Federal Government to complete the dredging of river Niger, the Onu Ajaokuta commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for the proactive steps taken to contain the disaster.
