Kogi-born social critic, Comrade Usman Austin Okai has challenged federal and state lawmakers from the state to rise up and speak for communities and residents of the state who have been displaced by the flood menace.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, Okai said the call became necessary in view of the grave yard silence from the elected representatives of the people.
He berated federal lawmakers from Kogi state for shying away from their responsibilities and failure to step any step to ameliorate the sad experience faced by residents of communities ravaged by flood.
“What is the job of our Senators and members of the House of Representatives? Are they not aware that flood has sacked over 70 communities in the state and over 80,000 persons displaced?
“What does it take to call the attention of federal government to mitigate the current flood disaster ravaging Lokoja, the state capital and other riverine areas in the state?
“Why are they playing politics with the lives of the same people they claim gave them mandate they are currently enjoying in the National Assembly? Does it mean the only way they can pay back the electorate is by being silent while our people are going through untold hardship?
“This is unacceptable! Kogi state is the only state capital in Nigeria that has been ravaged by flood yet there has been no reaction from both the state and federal government.
“It is sad to note that residents of the state capital and other riverine areas now use canoe to ply what used to be roads. Even in the state capital, workers, school children and other residents have to ply roads with canoe to transport to and fro their respective destinations,” he said.
Okai called on lawmakers from Kogi state to sit up and show empathy as citizens are going through hell.
“Our lawmakers to speak out now as their silence is no longer golden.”
