By Salau Ibrahim.
Stakeholders in Kogi State have advocated the need for everlasting solutions to constant flooding in the state .
This was the position of speakers at the stakeholders' meeting that took place at Edge Drive Hotel , Lokoja on Emergency Management and Flood Preparedness put together by Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (kOSEMA).
Speaking at the meeting the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Joel Oyibo who is also the Board Chairman of Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), assured the stakeholders that the State has put in place proactive measures to mitigate the effect of this year impending flood.
The Deputy Governor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Deputy Governor's Office, Mallam Suleiman Yakubu , enjoined the stakeholders to be more proactive in their responsibilities in order to prevent the projected flood .
He thanked the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA) , Alhaji Mouktar Atimah for embarking on the programme, promising that the state government would give all necessary support to the Agency to succeed in the task ahead .
In his address, speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Aliyu Umar described the workshop as timely and called for more robust collaboration amongst critical stakeholders especially Flood Risk Preparedness and Mitigation Awareness Team.
In his welcome address , the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency(SEMA), Alhaji Mourktar Atimah expressed his appreciation to His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Joel Oyibo for quick responses to emergency issues and humanitarian duties, adding that the meeting was organized in line with the directive of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State Ahmed Usman Ododo with a mandate to put an end to incessant flooding in the State.
Alhaji Mourktar advised that in view of the NIMET prediction, people living in flood prone areas should move to higher grounds .
Also speaking the Head Abuja Operation office, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Justin Uwazuruonye admonished and counselled the stakeholders that they should always give information about the rise in river level to SEMA for proper monitoring and effective response .
Speaking for the traditional institution, His Majesty, the Ohimege Igu of Koton karfe , Alhaji Saidu Akewo Salihu called for more proactive efforts
to address the disaster, promising the support of Kogi State Traditional Council in flood disaster management
It would be recalled that at the begining of this year, the Federal Government through the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) forecasted that twenty three states will be affected by flood this year , putting five (5) states including Kogi State on red alert .
As result of this prediction, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency took the bull by the horn by organizing the workshop with religious leaders traditional rulers, civil society organisations and other critical stakeholders to proffer proactive measures to mitigate the effects of the Flood.
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