Never in history has there been such great number of Internally Displaced People occasioned by natural disaster in Kogi State.
The flood which ravaged the country in 2012 no doubt, shifted attention on Kogi State. The total number of displaced persons who were housed in 87 camps across the state were 623,690 during the period.
Months after the flood,several clean up measures though have been taken by the Kogi State government to put behind the gory episode since the flood.
But given the fact that there are fresh predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency that there would be a repeat of the flood situation this year, these fresh predictions have brought about uneasy calm in the State as to the untold sufferings the people are likely to face again if it happens.
Those who have since returned to their flooded homes are now in utmost confusion as to what next. With the level of damage and destruction caused by the flood last year, many say a repeat of such destruction will be one that is too many.
Last year, many roads in the state became flooded and thus, impassable. Many school buildings became refugee camps. Houses were submerged. Properties and infrastructures were badly affected. Farm lands, crops and animals were washed away.
Last year’s damage which was estimated to run into billions of Naira is one disaster that the people and the State Government are still struggling to come to terms with considering the monumental destruction it caused.
The question on the lips of the people after NIMET has predicted another severe flood this year is whether the Kogi State Government is prepared for another flood in the State.
The answer as to government’s preparation without mincing words to say the least is yes. As part of proactive measures put in place by Kogi State Government aimed at mitigating the effect of the predicted flooding in the State this year, the State Government has been working round the clock towards averting another episode.
Aside recording a huge success in the management of the flood last year,Government this year has set up a sinking fund to serve as a rapid response fund in case of re-occurrence of the floods and any other natural disaster.
The measure which will no doubt bring respite on how to raise the needed funds to manage disaster of such magnitude as that of last year’s flood, is said to be very timely in mitigating the challenges associated with flooding that was experienced last year.
The sinking funds according to the Flood Relief Management Committee headed by the State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, will be a savings account that will be funded monthly by the State and the Local Governments.
Similarly, a school has been identified in Idah Local Government Area which will serve as a future camp for flood victims in four Local Governments namely; Idah, Igalamela, Ibaji and Ofu.
Last year many school buildings became refugee camps,with academic activities disrupted.
The Camp identified in Idah and other sites that have also being identified in other flood prone Local Government Areas in the State are currently been developed with infrastructures.
The implication of this arrangement is that if the flood comes this year the camps will be better managed and organized while school activities will not be disrupted.
Specifically, the camp sites been built to cater for the nine affected Local Government Area’s are to be provided with health care facilities, bore holes and additional toilets in anticipation of the re-occurrence of the floods this year.
Similarly, to avoid the gridlock experienced during the last year’s flood that affected commuters and vehicular movement along the ever busy Lokoja – Abuja road were people had to spend days stranded in Banda and having to go through untold hardship in crossing ferries with their vehicles, the Federal Government has approved the proposal sent by the State Government and has awarded the contract to increase the height of the road level in Banda. This no doubt is a cheering news as the flood will this time find it difficult cutting the road again if it re occurs.
Furthermore, with the effort also being made by the Federal Government to evacuate sand in all dams across the country so as to increase the volume carrying capacity of water they can hold,the evacuation of sand which was last done 25 years ago from the dams will help mitigate the impact of the flood and even help to prevent it over shooting it bank.
More cheering is the fact that the Dams following discussions between the government and the operators of the Dams is now to experience gradual release so as to avert the last year’s situation were the Dams were opened at once causing severe flooding.
Another cheering news about measures put in place to mitigate the expected flood is the plan building of more dams as well as the completion of those abandoned by the Federal Government.
Similarly, experts are also working to open up new State roads particularly in Lokoja,around the Ganaja village in order to forestall the devastating effects of future floods. This will help open up several roads across Ganaja and save those traveling east ward less stress.
In addition, efforts are on-going to purchase non-perishable relief materials and safety equipment in case of future occurrence of flooding. This will provide early relief materials like foodstuff,medicine, clothing and rescue equipment.
Also efforts is being made to tackle the root cause of flooding and some other natural disasters including erosion. The State Government has commenced an aggressive tree planting campaign and is actively involved in the national tree planting exercise to be launched formally in the State on June 5, 2013.
The State Government has equally train officials of the State Emergency Management Agency and other stakeholders in disaster management. This has placed and prepared them to be better equipped in handling disaster like flood if and when it comes.
With the recent predictions by NIMET, it is certain that the flood may once again, come visiting even as government and people of the state pray that it does not come.
The choice of the magnitude of damage the flood it will cause however rests squarely on the shoulders of the people. Would the people heed the early warning signal this time around or they would merely resign to fate as they did last year?
The government has no doubt vowed that it would not be caught unawares this time around. Beyond re-echoing the warning from NIMET the state government has already taken concrete steps to mitigate the effect of the forthcoming flood as It is not just enough to warn, it has remained proactive. What is more important is the Kogi State Government is working ahead 2013 flood in case it comes.
All is expected from the people is to relocate from flood plain areas as a stitch in time they say saves nine.
Article written by Abu Micheal,
Chief Press Secretary to the Kogi State Deputy Governor
