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Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi has said that the state would operate only 14 relief camps this year if the prediction by the Nigerian Metrological Agency comes to pass.
A statement issued by Awoniyi’s Chief Press Secretary, Abu Michael, said that the Deputy Governor made the disclosure in an interview with the BBC World service.
The state had operated 82 camps last year in handling the thousands that were displaced by the massive flood.
The statement said the interview followed the concern and panic raised by the rising water level of the Rivers Niger and Benue by residents of the state capital living along the flood plains.
The statement said the camps would be well equipped with schools, water and improved sanitary condition, saying that the camps were pruned down to ensure effective management of camps.
Awoniyi noted that the state has learn important lessons on emergency management from last year’s flood, saying the human capacity in the State Emergency Management Agency has since been enhanced through capacity training to handle natural disasters the state may witness.
While noting that people are more attached to where they live, which make it difficult for them to move from flood plain areas, he appealed to the people to place value on their lives and heed the warning call and relocate to higher ground.
The statement, further said that the contractors handling the post flood housing estate in Lokoja would meet the target date of completion before the peak of the rains.
The statement said the 272 housing units embarked upon by the state government would be ready in another eight weeks adding that the money for the completion of the project has been set aside and urged the contractors to speed to meet up the completion period.
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