Kogi Govermentt distributes relief materials to flood victims

Eniola Olayemi

Kogi Government on Friday donated foodstuffs and other relief materials to victims of the recent flood disaster in Omala Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking with newsmen at the distribution centre in Omala, Mr Sanusi Yahaya, the State Coordinator, and Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) said that the items would alleviate the suffering of the flood victims.

1,182 households comprising 7,090 persons were affected by the 2018 flood disaster in Omala LGA.

The state government had earlier distributed relief items to flood victims in Lokoja, Kotonkarfe, Bassa, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Idah and Igalamela/Odolu LGAs.

Represented by Mr Godwin Onu, the Director, Account, Kogi Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Yahaya assured the victims of government’s commitment to alleviating their sufferings.

Yahaya, who doubles as the state Commissioner for Environment said that the second phase of the distribution would come from the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

He, therefore, advised the victims to remain calm, receive the items in good faith and share them accordingly without fomenting any trouble.

Earlier, Mr Yakubu Ocholi, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Emergency said that the state government through SEMA had earlier visited the affected riverside communities for needs assessment and documentation.

He said that six communities in Omala would benefit from the first phase of the distribution of the relief items, with an assurance that the items would get to the victims directly.

Ocholi added that the federal and state governments were collaborating with other stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the re-occurring flood issues in the state.

Mr Phillip Ocheni, who spoke on behalf of the victims appreciated the state government for the gesture and commended the officials for bringing items directly to them in their communities.

Items donated to the victims include bags of rice, beans, flour, guinea corn, maize, cartons of tomatoes, beverages, salt, red oil, Semovita, soaps/detergent, mattresses and mats.