Kogi calls for help as flood ravages state

The Kogi State Government has again called on the Federal Government and international donor agencies to come to the aid of the State as flood sacks over 200 communities.

Addressing newsmen at Kotonkarfe, Kogi Local Government, Monday, Kingsley Fanwo, the State commissioner for information and communications, said a major “humanitarian crisis is brewing in the state as close to two million people are currently homeless”.

He said the “National Emergency Management Agency cannot afford to wait any longer” as the State is already “overwhelmed”.

“We are in a dire emergency situation at the moment and this is sad. The flood disaster here is devastating and over 200 communities have already been submerged and close to two million people displaced.

“As we speak, nine of the 21 Local Government Areas in the state are affected which is almost 50% of the number of Local Government Areas. We have opened about 68 IDP camps but they can’t hold that massive population. Schools, hospitals and other infrastructure have been destroyed completely.

“Seeing the aged and little children in this kind of distress is a horrible sight. We did not lose any life because we activated the early warning and enlightenment plan. We are expending huge resources daily but it is inadequate. We call on the Federal Government, International Donor Agencies, NGOs and philanthropists to come to our aid,” he said.

Fanwo said the State Government had earlier set up a Flood Disaster Response Team under the leadership of the Deputy Governor of the State, assuring the victims of Government’s support in the face of the natural disaster.

Kogi, Lokoja, Adavi, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Idah, Ibaji are some of the affected Local Government Areas.