The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has
described the flooding in Kogi State and other parts of the country as a
national emergency and calls on all Nigerians to stop blaming the
government and assist it in the provision of succour to the affected
peoples.
The Minister for the Environment, Hadiza Melafia who spoke to state
house correspondents after the council meeting said that the flooding
being experienced in the country does not in any way fall into what can
be described as man-made describing it as a natural phenomenon happening
everywhere in the world.
Ms Melafia said the presidential committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan have visited seven states to ascertain the extent of impact of the flood on life and infrastructure and to identify immediate areas of intervention.
“The most devastating that we have witnessed is that of Kogi State where we have a major road completely made impassable.
“We have also seen a lot of infrastructure submerged and witnessed very traumatising experiences by people that were affected,’’ she said.
She said among the consequences of the flooding was huge loss of farmlands which might likely pose a threat to food security.
The minister said academic calendar was affected, people were displaced and there was likelihood of health challenges in the affected areas.
She underscored the need for Nigerians to make concerted efforts towards addressing the challenges of climate change.
She said the River Niger which over-flew its bank in Lokoja flows from Guinea Conakry through the northern region where there was acute desertification.
By-passes on Lokojo-Abuja road
Meanwhile, following the reports of a survey on the Kogi flooding by the presidential committee, the Federal Executive Council will on Thursday open a by-passes as a diversion for vehicles to drive through the Lokoja-Abuja road.
The Minister of Works, Mike Onolemenen, disclosed this to State House correspondents, after this week’s Council meeting presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.
Mr Onolemenen said the bye-passes which had been created around the flooded area would be opened to motorists from Thursday.
He said government had engaged construction giants in the country to create the bye-passes as a temporary measure to ease the suffering of commuters.
“What we’ve been doing since yesterday morning is that around the flooded area, we identified a bye-pass which we have created.
“As at this morning, we have attained about 60 per cent completion. From the way we are going, by tomorrow, the road should be opened to motorists.
“We have done a diversion at those drainages and vehicles will be able to now drive normally through this bye-pass without having recourse to canoes on our roads as a result of the flooding that happened.
“For us, that was a national priority because we needed to open that particular transport corridor so that movement between the southern states and the northern states will not be impaired.
“We have done that and I want Nigerians to be assured that government is with them in this situation and that government will continue to do all in its power to ensure that the pains are reduced to the barest minimum,” he said.
Aerial view images of flooding around river Niger in Lokoja
Ms Melafia said the presidential committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan have visited seven states to ascertain the extent of impact of the flood on life and infrastructure and to identify immediate areas of intervention.
“The most devastating that we have witnessed is that of Kogi State where we have a major road completely made impassable.
“We have also seen a lot of infrastructure submerged and witnessed very traumatising experiences by people that were affected,’’ she said.
She said among the consequences of the flooding was huge loss of farmlands which might likely pose a threat to food security.
The minister said academic calendar was affected, people were displaced and there was likelihood of health challenges in the affected areas.
She underscored the need for Nigerians to make concerted efforts towards addressing the challenges of climate change.
She said the River Niger which over-flew its bank in Lokoja flows from Guinea Conakry through the northern region where there was acute desertification.
By-passes on Lokojo-Abuja road
Meanwhile, following the reports of a survey on the Kogi flooding by the presidential committee, the Federal Executive Council will on Thursday open a by-passes as a diversion for vehicles to drive through the Lokoja-Abuja road.
The Minister of Works, Mike Onolemenen, disclosed this to State House correspondents, after this week’s Council meeting presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.
Mr Onolemenen said the bye-passes which had been created around the flooded area would be opened to motorists from Thursday.
He said government had engaged construction giants in the country to create the bye-passes as a temporary measure to ease the suffering of commuters.
“What we’ve been doing since yesterday morning is that around the flooded area, we identified a bye-pass which we have created.
“As at this morning, we have attained about 60 per cent completion. From the way we are going, by tomorrow, the road should be opened to motorists.
“We have done a diversion at those drainages and vehicles will be able to now drive normally through this bye-pass without having recourse to canoes on our roads as a result of the flooding that happened.
“For us, that was a national priority because we needed to open that particular transport corridor so that movement between the southern states and the northern states will not be impaired.
“We have done that and I want Nigerians to be assured that government is with them in this situation and that government will continue to do all in its power to ensure that the pains are reduced to the barest minimum,” he said.
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