By Salau Ibrahim
The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its preparedness to effectively tackle the anticipated 2026 flooding, assuring residents that proactive measures have been put in place to safeguard lives and property across the state.
The State Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, gave the assurance while receiving members of the Flood Response Team and delegates of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), led by the Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, at the Government House, Lokoja.
Comrade Oyibo disclosed that Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to intensify flood preparedness and mitigation efforts, particularly in the state’s nine flood-prone local government areas, through sustained stakeholders engagement, public sensitisation and coordinated response mechanisms.
The Deputy Governor commended NEMA for its continued support and interventions in Kogi State, while appealing for increased collaboration and assistance to further strengthen the state’s disaster management capacity.
He also lauded the Nigerian Red Cross Society for its humanitarian interventions, especially in Ibaji, Bassa and Kogi Local Government Areas, describing the organisation as a dependable partner in emergency response and disaster management.
Comrade Oyibo further expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government’s sustained interventions aimed at reducing the impact of disasters and improving the welfare of vulnerable communities across the country.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Kogi SEMA, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, said the visit was to brief the Deputy Governor on the state’s level of preparedness for the 2026 flood season and to discuss additional measures required for effective mitigation and emergency response.
He commended the Kogi State Government for its proactive flood management strategy during the 2025 flood season, noting that the coordinated efforts of government agencies and stakeholders significantly reduced the impact of flooding, with no major loss of lives or destruction of property recorded.
Alhaji Atimah explained that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), in their 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) released in February and April 2026 respectively, identified Kogi State as one of the states at high risk of flooding, making early preparedness and coordinated action imperative.
Also speaking, the Head of NEMA Abuja Operations Office covering Kogi State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Zakari Abubakar, assured the state government of the Agency’s unwavering commitment to supporting flood preparedness, mitigation and emergency response.
He noted that NEMA had activated the necessary response mechanisms and deployed critical resources to minimise the impact of the predicted floods, while commending the Kogi State Government for its proactive approach to disaster risk management.
As part of its engagements, the Flood Response Team also visited the Kogi State Ministry of Transportation, where stakeholders called for stronger collaboration to ensure efficient transportation and emergency response during the flood season.
Responding on behalf of the Commissioner for Transportation, the Permanent Secretary, ESV Baiyegunhi Samuel Taiwo, assured the delegation of the Ministry’s full cooperation.
He disclosed that the state government had procured 32-seater boats to facilitate emergency transportation in flood-affected communities, adding that the 2,500 life jackets donated by the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPADEC) would be properly monitored and effectively utilised.
The Permanent Secretary stressed that the use of life jackets would be mandatory for all passengers travelling by boat during the flood season, warning that any boat operator who failed to enforce the safety directive would face appropriate sanctions.
Other stakeholders at the meeting underscored the importance of strengthened inter-agency collaboration, intensified public awareness campaigns and sustained preparedness as critical measures for mitigating the impact of the anticipated 2026 flooding across Kogi State.
