The Kogi State Government has said it has not fixed any date for the winding up activities in its 83 relief camps across the State.
Arc. Yomi Awoniyi, Chairman State Emergency Management Agency stated this while addressing few victims from Adankolo camps, who said they were informed by some persons of plans to wind up the camps.
The State Deputy Governor, disclosed that the State Government is currently in the second phase of ascertaining the inventory of camps and displaced persons, urged the victims not to listen to rumour, capable of thwarting the good intentions of the present administration.
While meeting with the leaders of the protesters alongside the Commissioner of Police, Awoniyi explained that the present administration is responsive and doing its best to alleviate the plight of the displaced persons, debunked the rumour making the rounds that the various camps across the State are on the verge of been closed.
“The State Government presently is looking at means of providing nets, boats and seedlings to fishermen and farmers who have indicated their readiness to return in some camps”, Awoniyi said.
The deputy governor however said the State Government will not be stampeded in it rehabilitation programme, urged the few protesters not to take government’s benevolence for granted.
Earlier in his speech, Mohammed Bashir, leader of the Adankolo camp, disclosed that the few people who went on protest got information from their relatives of plans to close the camps, thus, making them to be agitated as they were yet to have gotten alternative place of accommodation.
The camp leader, commended the administration for its care to displaced victims, appealed for assistance that will help the victims in relocating, as many of them are willing to begin a new life outside the camp.
Also speaking, Aaron Harnna, leader of the protesters said they were misinformed of government’s plan to close down the camp, however apologized, urged government to continue with its good gesture of consistently alleviating their plight, pending when a more permanent solution would have been made for their relocation.
