The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Comrade Joel Salifu, who also serves as the Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), received officials from the Abuja operation office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to his office in Lokoja today. The visit was led by the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hon. Muktar Atima.
Hon. Atima Muktar, the Executive Secretary of SEMA said that their visit to the state was to assess the impact of the recent floods that affected Kabba in Kabba-Bunu local government area, commending the support received from NEMA’s Abuja operation office in aiding the state’s flood and disaster management efforts.
In his remarks, Pharmacist Zakari Abubakar, Head of the Abuja Operations Office of NEMA, expressed profound gratitude to the Deputy Governor for his support and proactive stance towards disaster management in the state.
He said that the Federal Government had been alerted that some areas of the state had been overtaken by floodwaters. Consequently, they were mandated to visit the state, particularly Kabba, to assess the extent of the flooding, which had severely affected many individuals, swept-away homes and sources of livelihood.
He noted that they had recorded the extent of the damage and assured that they would submit their findings and facilitate the distribution of relief materials for the affected individuals and communities.
Additionally, he pledged to expedite the provision of relief materials for victims of rainstorms in Ofu, Lokoja, Mopamuro, and several other communities in the coming weeks, while advocating for the establishment of emergency operation centers across the local government areas for a more timely response to natural disasters.
In his response, the Deputy Governor commended the NEMA officials for their prompt and timely visit to assist in providing relief materials to those affected, stating that their support has instilled a renewed sense of hope and dignity among the people after the flooding situation.
He lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the leadership of NEMA for their commitment to delivering interventions and support to the victims of natural disasters, revealing that their visit coincided with his recent on-site assessment of the impact of rainstorms on several communities in Okehi local government area.
He advised that relief materials from the Federal Government should be channeled through NEMA, in collaboration with SEMA and the emergency operation centers to be created across the 21 local government areas, to prevent the diversion of palliative meant for the victims by a selected few for personal gain.
The meeting signifies a collaborative effort to address and respond effectively to the challenges posed by natural disasters in Kogi State.
Unubi Emmanuel
Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor,
Kogi State.
July 9, 2025
