Flood: FG Plans To Evacuate 10,000 People In Kogi
By Abdullahi Ahmad Bamalli
The Federal Government plans to evacuate 10,000 people in Mosun Community in Bassa Local Area of Kogi state who were affected by the turbulent activity of the River Benue during the rainy season.
Abubakar Yelwa, Executive Director of the Hydro-Electricity Power Producing Areas Development Commission, HYPPADEC, made the announcement on Monday while visiting the affected communities in Mosun Community.
Mr Yelwa said the evacuation of affected communities was an interesting continuation of the negative impact of the 2022 floods on affected communities as residents were forced to leave their homes for security reasons.
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“We will begin construction of buildings that would accommodate the affected villagers in two weeks if we are shown the piece of land by the traditional ruler and the Bassa Local Government authorities.
“What we are afraid of is the flood for 2023, going by the prediction of NiMet, which says this year’s rain would be heavier than that of 2022, which may mean more flooding than what we experienced.
“Here we are at the site, and you can see for yourselves the levels of damaging activities of the River Benue in these communities within the Mosun kingdom. We have to do something to save their lives and make their lives worthwhile.
“As soon as the authorities show us the piece of land to relocate them, we shall begin construction work immediately. We are ready to move our equipment to the river banks to start work on controlling the ravaging erosive activities, ” the MD said.
Earlier, the traditional ruler of the Mosun Kingdom, Burka Ali, told the HYPPADEC boss and his entourage that the 2022 flood was very devastating.
”No fewer than 10,000 people were displaced by the 2022 flood. In fact, land space of over 300m was washed away by the flood.
“As for the piece of land for the resettlement of my unfortunate people, we have already selected a piece of land to show HYPPADEC.
“I am short of words. We appreciate the commission and the Federal Government for this show of love and concern to the people of my kingdom.
“We are ready to cooperate with HYPPADEC to see that the resettlement programme is a success for the good of our fellow brothers and sisters as well as our children, who have suffered due the flood, ” Ali said.
It was reported that the visit of the commission to the Mosun kingdom was spiced with the award of chieftaincy title to the HYPPADEC boss and Alhaji Isa Ozi-Salami, the Kogi Representative on the governing board of the commission.
While Mr Yelwa was crowned as the “Ondaihi” (Galadima) of Bassa Land, Ozi-Salami was crowned the “Oniereza Ogbanyi of Mozum kingdom.
It was also reported that NiMET warned Nigerians to prepare for an earlier-than-expected onset of rainfall in most parts of Nigeria.
