By Becky Abutu
Heinrich Boll Stiftung and Arctic Infrastructure has solicited the support of Stakeholders in Kogi State to facilitate the adoption of Flood Resilience and Affordable Building Regulations Guidelines for the State.
Senior Project Associate at Arctic Infrastructure, Mr. Adedeji Adegoke, made the call during a workshop in Lokoja.
He said plans are underway to adopt the proposed building guidelines to regulate the construction of houses in riverine areas.
He urged participants to apply and share the knowledge gained from the workshop.
Joy Oyiza Obadoba from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the Federal Polytechnic Idah and the University of Lagos explained the importance of the guidelines.
She said flooding resilient buildings guidelines plays a transformative role in shaping master plans across Kogi State by incorporating safety, sustainability, and community well being into the fabric of Urban and rural development
Joy Oyiza noted that the guidelines do not just shape where and how communities grow, they protect lives, livelihoods and ecosystems Saying integrating flood resilient building guidelines into the state master plans ensures a proactive approach to disaster management.
According to her, the initiative will help low-income earners own safe and affordable housing.
Professor Olarewaju Ifatimehin of Kogi State University, Kabba, who also spoke on flood resilience and affordable building regulations explained that collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and local communities is key to the successful implementation of retrofitting programmes.
He urged the state government to adopt indigenous building technologies as alternatives to address the housing deficit.
Professor Ifatimehin also called on the state government to use pilot models for urban renewal in selected locations.
He said adopting the guidelines will reduce flood risks, shorten recovery time after disasters, improve community safety, and ensure long-term cost savings.
The University Don added that the measures align with Nigeria’s climate adaptation goals.
The State Project Coordinator of the Nigeria Climate Adaptation, Erosion and Watershed Management, Doctor Yahaya Abdullahi Abas, said Kogi is highly affected by flooding because many communities are located on flood plain areas.
He warned against building on walk ways, culverts, and drainage channels, and encouraged proper waste disposal.
Doctor Abas praised Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for efforts to protect lives and property and urged residents to obey government regulations and town planning rules.
In their separate remarks, the Director of Urban and Regional Planning at the Bureau of Lands, Garuba Danlami, and the Kogi State Representative at the Town Planners Registration Council, Ramatu Baba, commended the organizers and promised to support the initiative in the State.
A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Abdulmalik Adeiza, also promised to apply the knowledge gained from the workshop.
Present at the event are Government Officials, Academia, Non Governmental Organization, representatives from Okene, Ibaji, Kabba, Idah, Koton Karfe, Adavi, Ijumu, Lokoja Local Government Areas among others.
The workshop was organised by Heinrich Boll Stiftung and Arctic Infrastructure and sponsored by Joy Oyiza Obadoba, Builder Aisha Orumah Sylvanus, Mr. Zekeri Abraham David, and Dr. Ekele Thompson Ochedi.
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