As warnings of impending flood in Kogi State have been given by Nimet, The Nigerian Navy Ship Lugard (NNSL) has called on relevant government agencies and stakeholders to collaborate on measures to address issues of flooding in Kogi state.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Nimet) had earlier predicted that there would be flooding in the coming days in some states including Kogi which houses the River Niger and River Benue.
The NNSL however through its Commander, Commodore Tamuno Senibo, said on Wednesday during a stakeholders forum that joint effort is needed in this period.
He made this call during a program on flood disaster management/maritime safety and security hosted by Nigerian Navy Ship Lugard under the auspices of Operation Delta Sanity III at Naval base Banda, Kogi state.
Commodore Senibo who expressed fear over the recent rise in river Niger and Benue, said that the situation called for drastic, timely and preventive actions to forestall the adverse effects of impending floods in Kogi state. He said:
“Today’s deliberation will be aimed at enabling planning and coordination of relief efforts to mitigate the imminent floods. It will also identify the safety/security arrangements on our waterways.
“This meeting is expected to set the framework for swift and decisive emergency responses and maintenance of safety on the waterways. It will similarly converse the plan for deployment of our resources, identify and fill gaps in our current strategy and refine our procedures to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency”.
Present was the Secretary to Government of Kogi state, Dr Folashade Ayoade Arike who said Kogi state government was committed to ensuring safety of lives in the event that the state would be flooded.
She also said that camps have already been provided in 9 local government areas majorly affected by flooding while advising that people living along River banks to move upland to avoid casualties and loss of properties. She also pledged the support of the state to the NNSL.
Other stakeholders present was the representative of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engr. Tanmy Fiberesima, who pledged the commitment of NIWA to ensuring safe waterways for transportation.
He also called for the establishment of an efficient flood disaster management policy in the state.
