Governor of Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has called on the Federal Government to support the state to ameliorate the discomfort being experienced by people of the state who have been affected by flood in the past few days.
The governor was quoted as making the appeal in Lokoja according to a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mrs Petra Onyegbule.
The governor said that over 200 communities across 10 local government areas of the state had been submerged by flood and appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to assist the state government’s effort at containing the natural disaster.
Bello while sympathising with those ravaged by the flood, appealed to those who are yet to move to upland to do so in order to ensure safety of lives.
According to the Governor, the state’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources as well as the State Emergency Management Agency have been on top of their game. He commended their “proactive efforts at ensuring the effects of the situation are minimized”.
The governor, who commended the joint efforts of the State Ministry of Health and Medical Associations for setting up clinics at various IDP Camps to attend to the health needs of residents, assured victims that government will do everything within its means and in collaboration with the federal government and relevant non-governmental organizations to make the experience less painful for them.
The governor, the statement added, frowned at those he said were trying to cash in on the unfortunate flood situation to exploit victims calling their action ‘despicable’ and urged them to desist or risk facing the wrath of the law.