From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Kogi State Government has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently intervene as flood submerged 70 communities in some parts of the state.

The state’s Deputy Governor, Joel Salifu, made the appeal during an inspection tour to Edeha community in Kogi Local Government area, affected by flood.

Our Correspondent reports that the deputy governor was accompanied by the Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, and other members of the flood committee.

Salifu, who doubles as the State Chairman, 2024 Kogi State Flood Disaster Response Committee, said in spite of the state’s preparedness for the flood, the present situation in Edeha and other communities along the route had gone beyond what the state alone could handle.

“It is obvious that the present situation is beyond what the Kogi State Government can handle, we cannot do it alone.

“It is clear that over 70 communities have been affected by the flood and thousands of homes and farmlands submerged.

“The number of damaged properties including farmlands is yet to be ascertained. As such, the intervention of the Federal Government is urgently needed in the affected areas,” Salifu said.

He however expressed joy that no life was lost as most of the affected communities have moved to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps set up by the state.

The deputy governor assured the commitment of the state to doing its best in ameliorating the suffering of the affected persons.

He affirmed that all the necessary steps have been put in place at the 48 IDP camps set up across the state; two of which are in Kotonkarfe-Kogi.

Also speaking, the State Executive Secretary, Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA), Mr. Mourktar Atimah, said that the state had set up 48 IDP camps across the three senatorial districts to handle the effects of the flood.

Atimah said with the set-up of the State Disaster Response Committee, the state is better prepared to handle issues that may arise from the flood.

He promised that the state would not neglect the victims, and would do the best for them.

In his response, the Chief of Edeha community, Abdullahi Isah, commended the State Government for its promptness in visiting them,

Isah, who corroborated the deputy governor’s plea for federal government’s help, said about 70 to 80 communities have been affected by the flood, describing it as a perennial occurrence.

“We appreciate the presence of the Deputy Governor today, but we beg the FG to come in to assist us.

“We have all moved to higher land and most of our people are presently at the IDP camps.

“We beg the Federal Government, corporate and international organisations and individuals to come to our aid.

“We know the state government has human feelings but they cannot do it alone. Please we need help,” Isah said.

The team had earlier visited the Palace of the Ohimegye of Kotonkarfe, where the deputy governor intimated the traditional ruler of the State Government’s efforts in handling the flood disaster.

The deputy governor said that traditional rulers have been drafted as part of the Disaster Response Committee, set up by the State Government to handle the flood issues.

The Ohimegye Kotonkarfe, HRM Saidu Akawu-Salihu, urged the state government to come to the aid of the Council area, saying the destruction was more than what the team saw.

“I know the communities you visited are those around the main road, but the destruction is more.

“Beyond Edeha that you visited, all communities along those routes have been submerged.

“We have such communities like Gaduma, Gabor, Ikumo, Edama, and others all under water as we speak.

‘If you go to the Northern side of Kotonkarfe, you will see communities such as Apaku,  Egasema, Oka, Agwo and others also submerged.

“Our Local Government area is the most affected as the three zones in this area are all riverine; flooding is a perennial occurrence in our area.

“We are happy that the State Government is proactive. Your presence here has consoled the people and reiterates the fact that the government is responsive,” Akawu-Salihu said.

The monarch expressed his readiness to assist the Rapid Response Committee set up by the State Government, saying, “the job has just begun, see us as partners in progress.”