“Despite the useful nature of water it can also be a dangerous commodity that can cause a lot of damage”
Kogi State Deputy Governor, Arc Yomi Awoniyi, and Chairman State Emergency Management Agency, stated this when he received a new report from UNICEF and WHO that about 600 staffers of Ajaokuta Steel complex who lived in the staff quarters were also affected by the flood, and another 4,007 new discovery of displaced victims in Otuoacha camp, Anambra State.
The Deputy Governor added that the State Government would provide relief materials as an immediate and appropriate measure to mitigate the displacement they are facing currently.
The State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, who is also the Chairman of the State Flood disaster Management Committee, made the disclosure in Lokoja today after a meeting of the committee,said the lessons learn from the flood will be included in executing the new Lokoja master plan.
The Deputy Governor stated that Government would make use of tents donated to it by UNICEF and the Red Cross to build new camps for displaced victims, where facilities such as potable water and toilets would be provided.
While he assured that those displaced in Ajaokuta will be given new settlement in the Federal Government quarters abandoned in the area, efforts he said is on-going to evacuate those in Anambra to the State,added that he was in Otuoacha last week to visit the only camp known to the State,but never knew that there was the existence of another camp run by the Catholic church.
Government he explained will review all plots of land that are near the river banks,adding that people should learn to build by the rules.
Certificates of Occupancy of people living by the river bank where necessary will be revoked while some people will be relocated in their own interest.
Government he disclosed will erect building barriers at the banks of the river from Banda to Ganaja village area of Lokoja, to discourage people from carrying out building activities along river banks.
In her remarks, Alice Ogedengbe,Acting Executive Secretary State Emergency Management Agency,said efforts is been made to provide relief materials on daily basis to the various camps across the state,however warned victims from discrediting the efforts of the state government by making negative reports over their welfare.
The SEMA boss lamented a situation where Victims cart away items given to them to their homes only to claim that they have not been given,warned that henceforth action will be taken against those found wanting as well as those caught impersonating.
With the daily increase of victims in camps, Alice Ogedengbe said her agency has now begun the issuance of identification numbers to forestall double registration by some people displaced as noticed by her agency and to check the influx of new persons who are arriving camps weeks after the camps have since opened.
