Kogi State governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo has called on stakeholders to work together and develop a proactive strategy to mitigate flood disasters as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET.
Ododo, who made the call yesterday at a stakeholders meeting on Emergency Management and Flood Preparedness organised by the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, said stakeholders should intensify efforts in sensitising and mitigating impending flood disasters.
Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu, the governor explained that flooding poses severe threats to nine local government areas in Kogi State.
“We will continue to invest in early warning to sensitise and enlighten the people, especially citizens living and dwelling along riverine areas,” he said.
While noting that government alone cannot effectively address the challenges posed by flooding in Kogi State, the governor urged stakeholders to support his administration in tackling the effects of flood.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah said the stakeholders meeting was to strengthen synergy and cooperation among stakeholders ahead of the anticipated flooding and to identify the needed support to enhance flood response.
Atimah informed that between April and May, over 1,000 households were affected by wind and rainstorm in three local government areas.
He, however, assured that the agency would continue to do its best in managing disasters in the state.
He urged stakeholders to take issues of flood predictions by NiMET seriously in order to reduce incidents of death and loss of property.
