- Appeal to President Buhari to Declare State of National Disaster
Governor Yahaya Bello says he is deeply distressed by the scope of devastation and suffering that has already been visited on the people of Kogi state by the rising floodwaters this year.
In an extraordinary statement issued in Lokoja on Saturday to address the state on the 62nd independence anniversary of Nigeria and review impact of the 2022 flood disaster in the state, Governor Bello said the flooding has affected the 9 local government areas which lie along the Rivers Niger and Benue.
The affected local governments, according to Governor Bello, are Lokoja, Kogi-Koto, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Igalamela-Odolu, Bassa, Idah, Ibaji and Omala.
Governor Bello called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a ‘State of National Disaster Due To Flooding’ in Kogi and other similarly affected states.
The declaration, he said, will help to unlock the nation’s latent capabilities to respond more aggressively with more men, money and materials to this harrowing situation.
“The President may wish to recall that he made such a declaration in response to the 2018 flooding – and the floods this year are projected to be much worse than anything we saw in 2018. Thus, while thanking His Excellency for what the federal agencies are already doing, I implore him to give us the help our people so desperately need at this time.
“Historically, flooding in Kogi State is more or less an annual event. Our people have gotten used to the ritual of devastation followed by inadequate palliatives, if any.
“As a leader, it is clear to me that I must make an attempt to break this vicious cycle, if not for all, then for as many victims as I can. This is why I am now considering some proposals that promise permanent solutions that we can deploy.
“Ibaji is almost 100% under water while the rest range from 30% up. Other inland LGAs also have some degree of flooding from smaller rivers and tributaries.
“We therefore have a serious and humanitarian tragedy on our hands, but I wish to assure every person, family and community which has been affected that they are not alone and that help is coming. Even before the floods came we had activated our early response systems to make sure that succour reaches those affected in a timely manner.
“Even though we are still mapping the red zones as they develop, the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (KOGISEMA) and other first responders are already hard at work across the state. At-risk communities were informed and encouraged to evacuate long before the flooding began and Internally Displaced Persons Camps were set up and put at their disposal.
“We are also mobilizing help from traditional partners such as the National Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Services, Disaster Management and Social Development as well as socially responsible corporate entities. Of course, the Kogi State Government will welcome public-spirited individuals, groups and bodies who may wish to show love to their fellow humans in distress through donations of funds and essentials.
“What this means is that in the short term we are providing affected persons and communities with shelter at our various Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps, as well as security, food, medicines, clothing and cash grants for necessities, among others. In the long term, we will need to gear efforts towards more sustainable solutions where possible.
“The 2022 floods have been confirmed as Nigeria’s worst flood disaster in a decade, and they are becoming progressively worse than those of 2012 and 2018. Inasmuch as my administration has implemented Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) and efforts are ongoing to evacuate and provide relief for victims, we must now admit that more is needed from the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking on mitigation measures and plans for permanent solutions, Governor Bello said his administration will soon embark on clearing the lowlands along the entire flood-plains in the flood endemic LGAs.
Also, the state government will ensure proper resettlement and rehabilitation of those who will be affected.
“There is a set of common sense and civil engineering solutions to the problem of flooding which could bring permanent solutions and I assure you that as an administration we have tried some of them, with varying degrees of success.
“For instance, in partnership with the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), we have constructed about four kilometres of embankments along the River Niger. We also did extensive gully erosion control projects in Ankpa, Ogugu, Ozuri, Lokoja, Dekina and other parts of the State. Despite all of that, as everyone can see, we continue to harvest this endless cycle of flood disaster every other year.
“The most common sense and humane option left now is to clear human habitations and businesses from the banks of the Rivers Niger and Benue where possible. Soon, we will embark on clearing the lowlands along the entire flood-plains in the flood endemic LGAs. This will allow the rivers unimpeded flow during their annual flooding.
“In Lokoja, we will have to widen the road shoulders along the banks of the River Niger as one enters the city from the NATACO area in order to establish a sufficient buffer zone between the city and the river. Ganaja junction to Ganaja Village road has also been recently re-awarded to a more efficient contractor and we will see to it that when work commences efforts will be made to raise the road above the water levels.
“In the process, affected communities will be relocated to higher grounds and structures which fall into the designated work areas will have to make way. I assure you all that the government will ensure proper resettlement and rehabilitation of those who will be affected. No doubt, this will put huge burdens on the resources of the government but it will be money well-spent if it brings peace of mind to my people.
“Over the next couple of weeks, we will be putting finishing touches to the work plans for this rescue operation, and as soon as the waters begin to recede into the dry season, we will start work. These are hard decisions but they are necessary for us to end this suffering for our people. They will also help us to see quicker the resilient and smart city we want our state capital to become over the next 32 years for which we are already developing a Plan of action.
Without mincing words, I say that anything is preferable to this annual loss of lives and livelihood.”
Governor assured the people of the state that his administration will continue to work for the wellbeing of all citizens and residents, while calling for sacrifice and understanding of everyone.
