Kogi State Government has commended the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and that of Environment for efficiently managing the release of water from the Dams in the country, which, it said, has reduced the incidence of flood this year.
The State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, made this remark in Lokoja during the meeting of the State Flood Management Committee.
Awoniyi who is also the Chairman of the Committee, observed that the water level at present was much lower than what it was this time last year, and expressed hope that the magnitude of the flood this year would be less than that of last year.
He expressed appreciation to the Almighty God, but however said that while the State was expecting the best, it was planning for the worst.
The Deputy Governor noted that some states like Kaduna and Kebbi were already experiencing flood disaster which he said prompted the State Governor Capt Idris Wada, to direct the Committee to submit estimates for camp construction, purchase of relief materials, medical materials, generators, as well as provision of bore holes in the proposed camps.
Awoniyi also disclosed that the State Government would assist the marine police to rehabilitate their boats for use during the impending flood.
He used the occasion to appeal to people living in flood plains to relocate to higher grounds, urging them not to ignore the warning as they did last year which resulted in the loss of reliable property.