The Kogi State Government has expressed deep sympathy with the people of Owara community in Lokoja Local Government Area over the destruction of properties and farmlands worths millions of naira following a recent flash flood.
The Executive Secretary, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Mukhtar Atimah, who led a team on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the affected area described the incident as unfortunate.
He assured residents that the administration of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo remains committed to providing necessary relief materials to cushion the impact of the disaster.
Alhaji Atimah urged the community to continue in its support for the government in order to mitigate the effects of natural disasters across the state.
The Executive Secretary said Kogi State Emergency Management Agency will remain responsive in line with the principles of the Chief Servant of the State who is committed to the general well-being of the masses.
In his remarks, the community leader, Mr. Hamzal Yakubu, thanked the state government for its swift response through SEMA and appealed for a quick intervention.
He explained that this was the first time the community will be experiencing such a massive level of destruction as a result of flooding.
The traditional ruler of the area, the Obaro of Omuwa, Alhaji Sheidu Adoga Aliyuth, also expressed gratitude to SEMA for its prompt and proactive approach and attributed the flooding to the overflow of a tributary feeding into the River Niger and thanked Governor Ododo for his timely intervention.
Highlight of the assessment visit was the profiling of affected residents to determine the exact number of victims with results showing that 660 people were identified as being affected by the flood.
Report filed by:
Salau Ibrahim, Information Officer, SEMA
