'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER — The Kogi State Government has issued an urgent appeal for the intervention of the Federal Government and international donor agencies as severe flooding has displaced over two million people across more than 200 communities in the state.
Speaking to journalists in Kotonkarfe on Monday, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, described the situation as a brewing humanitarian crisis, with several local government areas (LGAs) affected and essential infrastructure destroyed.
"We are currently facing a dire emergency," Fanwo stated. "The devastation is overwhelming, with close to two million people left homeless. Nine out of the state’s 21 local government areas have been submerged, and we have been forced to set up 68 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, which are woefully inadequate to handle such a massive influx of displaced individuals."
He emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that the state is running out of resources to provide adequate relief for those affected. Fanwo called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Government, international agencies, and philanthropists to step in immediately.
"The National Emergency Management Agency cannot afford to wait any longer," he said. "We have opened IDP camps, but they are overrun by the sheer number of displaced people. Schools, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure have been destroyed, leaving residents in severe distress. The early warning systems we implemented have thankfully prevented the loss of lives, but the damage to livelihoods and homes is devastating."
The commissioner noted that the state had previously set up a Flood Disaster Response Team led by the Deputy Governor, and the government is continuing to provide support to the victims. However, the scale of the disaster has outpaced local resources, necessitating external assistance.
"With almost 50% of the state's local government areas affected, including Kogi, Lokoja, Adavi, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Idah, and Ibaji, the extent of the damage is enormous. This natural disaster has rendered the state helpless in terms of capacity to handle it alone," Fanwo said, adding that urgent external aid is essential to preventing further devastation.
The commissioner reassured the public that the Kogi State Government remains committed to alleviating the suffering of the flood victims, but warned that without significant federal and international support, the situation could become a full-blown humanitarian disaster.
The floods, which have been attributed to the rising water levels of the Niger and Benue rivers, have become an annual challenge for Kogi State, highlighting the need for long-term strategies to address the underlying causes of the crisis.
As the situation unfolds, the state government continues to appeal for donations, relief materials, and technical support from well-meaning individuals, corporations, and global humanitarian agencies to bring much-needed relief to the affected communities.