A devastating Flood has ravaged over 200 communities and rendered about two million people homeless in Kogi state.
Gatekeepers News reports that the State’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo revealed this while addressing the press at Kotonkarfe local government area (LGA).
The commissioner called on federal government and international donor agencies to come to the aid of the State.
According to Fanwo; a major “humanitarian crisis is brewing in the state as close to two million people are currently homeless.”
He said the “National Emergency Management Agency cannot afford to wait any longer” as the State was already “overwhelmed”.
“We are in a dire emergency situation at the moment and this is sad. The flood disaster here is devastating and over 200 communities have already been submerged and close to two million people displaced.”
“As we speak, nine of the 21 Local Government Areas in the state are affected which is almost 50% of the number of Local Government Areas. We have opened about 68 IDP camps but they can’t hold that massive population. Schools, hospitals and other infrastructure have been destroyed completely.”
“Seeing the aged and little children in this kind of distress is a horrible sight. We did not lose any life because we activated the early warning and enlightenment plan. We are expending huge resources daily but it is inadequate. We call on the Federal Government, International Donor Agencies, NGOs and philanthropists to come to our aid.”
The commissioner noted that the State Government has set up a Flood Disaster Response Team under the leadership of its Deputy Governor and assured the victims of the government’s support in the face of the natural disaster.
Seven local government areas including Kogi, Lokoja, Adavi, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Idah, and Ibaji were some of the LGAs affected by the flood.
