The Kogi State Government has presented cheques worth N139.5 million and N4.55 million to last year’s nine affected flood ravaged local Government Areas of the state and to those still remaining in its relief camp.
Capt Idris Wada, described the exercise as its first phase of the State Government total package of rehabilitation after the flood.
The Kogi State Governor made the disclosure at the presentation of cheques to the affected council areas stakeholders today.
The state Governor added that more funds will be spent on intervention areas such as in the transport, education, health, Agriculture and roads amongst other sectors.
Presently, schools affected and used as relief camps during the floods the Governor explained are been renovated,while roads destroyed during the floods he added are been accessed for the award of contracts for rehabilitation.
Similarly, the state government the Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, said is also opening up alternative roads East and West of the state to avoid the sufferings encountered by Commuters during the flood.
The Government Wada also pointed out has begun massive rice development and recovery programme to assist farmers whose farmlands were washed away,while it has also provided nets and boats to assist fishermen.
The amount given out as assistance, Wada noted, is a demonstration by Government to cushion the effect of the flood disaster that affected the state, appealed to those concern to handle the disbursement with the fear of God and transparency.
The Governor appealed to those still living along flood plains to move to higher ground in view of recent prediction of a heavier flood this year,said efforts have been concluded to build 1000 houses for those affected by the flood last year.
In his speech, Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede, Secretary to State Government, described the last year’s flood as an unwanted visitor that devastated the state, said the disbursement was arrived at following the submission by the Local Government stakeholders of those affected and the extent of the loss they incurred.
