Ododo tasks stakeholders on proactive strategies to mitigate flooding in Kogi

Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo has charged stakeholders in the state to come together and develop a proactive strategy to mitigate flood disasters as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET)

Ododo, who made the call on Tuesday during a stakeholders meeting on Emergency Management and Flood Preparedness organized by the State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA) in collaboration with National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said the stakeholders should intensify efforts in sensitizing and mitigating the impending flood disasters.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Joel Oyibo Salifu, explained that flooding is posing severe threats to nine local government areas in Kogi State.

“We will continue to invest in early warning to sensitize and enlighten the people especially citizens living and dwelling along riverine areas,” he said.

While noting that government alone cannot effectively address the challenges posed by flooding in Kogi State, Ododo urged stakeholders to support his administration in tackling the effects of flood in the state.

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Earlier, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, in his welcome address, said the stakeholders meeting was to strengthen synergy and cooperation among stakeholders ahead the anticipated 2024 flooding and to identified the needed support to enhance flood response.

According to him, between April and May 2024, over 1,000 households were affected by wind and rain storm in three local government areas.

He assured that the agency would continue to do its best in managing disasters in the state.

“The agency would on its part continue to intensify efforts in mitigating the predicted flooding and sensitizing the general public. The state government has done a lot in saving lives and property of its citizens and protecting the vulnerable,” he said.

Atimah, however, urged all the stakeholders to take issues of flood predictions by NiMET serious in order to reduce incidents of death and loss of property.

In his goodwill message, the Onu of Itobe, Chief Salifu Adaji, appealed to the Federal Government to be proactive in finding a lasting solution to the perennial flooding affecting people living along riverine zones.

The traditional ruler who noted that the people have already known their problem, admonished the Federal Government to embark on massive dredging with Nigerian Navy serving as a supervisory body to ensure that the contract is executed according to specifications.