The Kogi State Government has urgently requested the Nigerian Government’s intervention following severe flooding that has submerged at least 70 communities.
Deputy Governor Salifu Oyibo, who also chairs the 2024 Flood Disaster Response Committee, made the appeal during his assessment of Edeha, a community in the Kogi Local Government area.
Oyibo expressed that despite the state’s preparedness, the scale of the destruction is overwhelming and cannot be managed by the state alone. He reported that numerous homes and properties, including agricultural lands, have been destroyed, although the extent of the damage is yet to be determined.
“It is obvious that the present situation is beyond the Kogi State Government, we cannot do it alone.
“It is clear that over 70 communities have been affected by the flood and thousands of homes submerged.
“The number of damaged properties including farms is yet to be ascertained. As such, the intervention of the Federal Government is urgently needed in the affected areas,” he said.
On a positive note, Oyibo was relieved that no fatalities had been recorded, as affected residents had been relocated to one of the 48 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps established by the state.
These camps, located across various areas, aim to alleviate the hardship faced by the displaced communities.
The Chief of Edeha, Abdullahi Isah, echoed Oyibo’s call for Federal intervention, noting that flooding has become an annual challenge. He appealed to both governmental and non-governmental organizations for aid, emphasising that the state government, while empathetic, cannot tackle the issue alone.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA), Mourktar Atimah, stated that the state is better equipped to manage the disaster, thanks to the Flood Disaster Response Committee.
Traditional rulers have also been enlisted in the government’s efforts, with their involvement seen as vital in the recovery process.
HRM Saidu Akawu Salihu, the Ohimege of Kotonkarfe, highlighted the extent of the devastation, revealing that more communities beyond Edeha have been severely affected. He pledged the support of traditional authorities in working with the state to address the crisis.