The fears of the people is heightened as 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.
With the level of damage and destruction caused by the flood last two years,many say it will not be good that there will be a repeat of such destruction in 2014 as it would be one disaster that is too many.
Last two years, 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 two year’s damage 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 State Government recently disclosed that it recorded a direct loss of about N50billion and over N20billion collateral loss in 2012, but said it is working hard to ensure that the State does not witness another re occurrence.
Yomi Awoniyi, State Deputy Governor and Chairman Flood Management Committee gave the assurance when he spoke of the on-going preparedness by government to ensure that lives and properties are protected in the event of another flood.
Awoniyi disclosed that the Flood Management Committee is constantly meeting to review the flood situation, adding that risk analysis has been conducted on the water level, assured that for now there was no need for panic as the water in october is still at its present level.
The State government, Awoniyi added, is equally in touch with NIMET, NEMA and all the Dam operators to further evaluate the risks, and equally assured that the State is for now, not under threat as there are no plans to release water from the dam, a major cause of 2012 flood that affected the state.
The Deputy Governor added that the State government has also intensified its campaign for people living in flood-prone areas of its nine Local Government Areas to be at alert, assured however that the State Government Housing Estate is now ready for allocation, noting that other places have been identified as camp sites in the event of a flood, to complement other infrastructure measures government has put in place.
Similarly, the Ministry of Lands and Housing, Awoniyi disclosed, has been presented a proposal on the allocation of the already completed Flood Housing Estate, and said all the plans put in place in 2013 on where to house displaced people, even though the flood never came, the infrastructures he added, are all in place to be used in the event of any flood this year.
While noting that several warnings have been issued to those living in flood prone areas to relocate, the issue, Awoniyi maintained, requires a lot of tact and persuasion, as some of those affected are already attached to their places of abode.
He however, appealed to those living in such areas to relocate to higher ground as the devastating effect of 2012 flood have served as points of conviction of the harmful consequences of living in such flood-prone areas. He added that government will in the future have no choice but to pull down such buildings and legislate on living in such areas.
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 disasters like flood if and when it comes.
Awoniyi assured that while government is in constant touch with the Dam operators in the country, efforts he said is also on to alert the people in the event of any plan towards a release of water from the Dams.
Awoniyi assured that the state government is fully prepared with all its agencies placed on red alert to tackle any flood if it occurs, but prayed that the state will never experience the 2012 episode of flooding again.
Awoniyi however urged the people not to ignore the warnings of government to always build on higher ground and to move on to higher plains in the event of the continuous rising of the waters, disclosing that once beating, the state government is twice shy as it is not ready for another harrowing experience.
Already the State Ministry of Environment, the State Emergency Agency, Awoniyi disclosed are working round the clock and have been equipped to evacuate people to safe places in the event the flood comes.
Places have been identified in Idah and other Local Government Areas which will serve as future camp for flood victims in four Local Governments namely; Idah, Igalamela, Ibaji and Ofu.
Last two years many school buildings became refugee camps,with academic activities disrupted.
The Camp identified are currently been developed with infrastructures.
The implication of this arrangement according to Awoniyi 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 two 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 increased the increased 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, effort was also 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 expected flood is the 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 has been made to purchase non-perishable relief materials and safety equipment in case of occurrence of flooding. This effort 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 exercise.
For now every one is on the alert, watching the direction of flow of the river, but the government says it is on top of its came and will not be caught aware this year.
