With the desire by some persons especially fishermen and farmers to leave the displaced persons camp and return to their homes in Kogi State, Government has assured that whatever was due to them would eventually be given to them even after they had left.
The State Government also assured that despite the reorganization taken place in most of the camps, it will continue to deliver relief materials to those still displaced,until more enduring solutions are being worked upon.
Arc. Yomi Awoniyi, the State Deputy Governor, stated this when he received relief materials donated by Moreno Group Plc, in Lokoja at the weekend,described the flood as a monumental loss to the present administration,which he said was however cushioned by support from Government, spirited organizations and individuals.
The enduring solutions been worked out, Awoniyi restated include rebuilding new houses on higher grounds,assisting some persons to rebuild their collapsed houses while it will also allocate new plots as well as financial assistance to some other persons who will be re-located from lower ground.
Awoniyi said the State Government has begun the distribution of high yielding and early maturing varieties of seedlings to assist farmers whose farms were washed away.
Awoniyi, described the Moreno Group Plc as a constant support to the noble activities carried out by the State Government, assured that affected fishing communities will be assisted with nets and boats.
Awoniyi,explained that though many of the IDP’s in Camps are indicating interest to return to their homes to utilize the rich alluvial soil on the banks of the flooded river, suitable for dry season farming,efforts he noted is been made to ensure that they are assisted to begin life afresh.
Awoniyi, said the State Government is doing everything possible to mitigate the damage done by the flood to the State, even though he admitted it will take a longer time.
Palliatives such as fertilizers among other support, Awoniyi, explained will be worked out to assist those whose farm lands were washed away and to encourage them return to their farms.
Earlier in his speech, Simon Ikya, representative of Moreno Group Plc, said Kogi State was badly hit by the flood, which calls for collective support aimed at assisting those displaced,said the state was badly hit by the flood.
