Vice President Visits Kogi Flood Victims, Pledges Federal Government Support

The Federal Government has promised to ensure proper resettlement for victims of the recent flooding across Kogi state.

Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo made the promise at Saint Pious Primary School Koton-karfe, while addressing persons displaced by flood in Kogi Local government area of the state.

The Vice President expressed concern over the plight of the IDPs and said some comfort would be provided for the displaced persons after the water recedes.

“I have already done some preliminary assessment; some relief materials have been sent and there is a need for more and we will ensure that more relief materials are sent.

“We should be able to accommodate our people to be as comfortable as possible despite the terrible circumstances of this flooding.

“We moved round and we have taken a look at many of the flood sites and it is very clear that a lot of damage has been done to farm lands and to houses”, he said.

Professor Osinbajo assured the displaced persons that government would provide some compensation for those who lost properties and farmlands.

“So, this is only the first stage; I am here to look at what has gone wrong and what has happened. Land and properties are under water and after this period, when the water recedes, that is really when the hard work begins because those who have lost farm lands need to be restored somehow and need to be compensated including those who have lost houses and property.

“I hope that in the next few weeks, we should be able to return people, not just to their farm lands but also to their homes.

“In the meantime, it is our duty to make sure that you are all taken care of. The duty of the Federal Government and the State Government is to make sure all that need to be taken care of are duly taken care of”,Professor Osinbajo added.

Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello who appreciated the visit of the Vice President, commended the efforts of the Federal government at improving the plight of the flood victims in the state.

Alhaji Bello explained that the state government was collaborating with National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA to coordinate the disbursement of relief materials at camps.

Some of the displaced persons who spoke to Radio Nigeria sought for better welfare at the camps.

Our correspondent reports that the Vice President also embarked on an aerial surveillance of areas ravaged by flood across Kogi state which had been declared among others as national disaster.

 

 

 

 

BY/OHIKWO MOHAMMED/KOGI