Many rendered homeless as flood ravages Kogi communities

Hundreds of residents of Ganaja village in Ajaokuta local government area of Kogi state have been rendered homeless as flood took over the communities.

Apart from this, motorists and commuters in the axis had a hectic time on Wednesday as parts of the dual carriage way were overflown by water.

When Nigerian Tribune visited the area at about 2.30pm on Wednesday, many buildings on both sides of the way had had submerged by water.

Residential buildings, shops and other commercial buildings were affected by the flood with the water level keeping increasing.

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Many travellers heading towards the eastern part of the country, Igala land and Ajaokuta were held in traffic for many hours as the water level kept increasing.

Commuters, including school children and market women had to abandon the available means of transportation and trek long distances before they could reach their destinations.

However, many vehicles were caught up in the flood and broke down, further compounding the situation for the road users.

The situation however provided avenue for young boys to make brisk business as they charged between N300 and N500 to push vehicles out of water.

However, the state government had commenced the distribution of foodstuffs and other relief items to the flood victims in IDP camps across the state.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Sanusi Yahaya, told newsmen at the inauguration of the distribution in Lokoja, the state capital, that the distribution of the foodstuffs was the first stage.

He noted that the National Emergency Maintenance Agency (NEMA) had also supplied some relief items such as mattresses, blankets, mats, among others to the state, which would also be distributed to the flood victims in across the IDP camps in the state.

“Since NEMA has brought relief materials for now, the state government decided to procure food items for victims to enable them feed themselves in the camps, and more are still coming.

“This is just the first batch of the distribution, more are still coming because his excellency Governor Yahaya Bello has approved the release of fund to get more foodstuffs,” he said.

The commissioner appealed to individuals, corporate organisations and professional bodies to come and assist the flood victims in terms of foodstuffs and other relief materials, saying government could not do it alone.