From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The managing director of National Inland Water Ways (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu on Tuesday in Lokoja donated food items and N5 million to flood victims in Kogi state.
Presenting the items to the commissioner for environment, Hon. Victor Omokaye at the ministry headquarters, NIWA Boss said the intervention became necessary to cushion the effect of the last year’s flood and high expectations of the impending flood this year.
Moghalu pointed out that the gesture was to alleviate the suffering of people that were affected by flood in Kogi state while charging those in the flood prone areas to relocate to a higher ground to avert the impending flood.
He therefore, appealed to people to always open up channels in the environment to enhance free flow of water adding that the authority will equally extend similar gesture to other 11 states that are prone to flooding in the country.
Receiving the items on behalf of the state emergency management agency, (SEMA) the commissioner for environment, Hon. Victor Omofaye commended the Authority for identifying with those affected by the flood in the state.
He pointed out that Kogi state alone cannot bear the responsibility of flooding and charged NIWA not to relent in its efforts to salvage the affected people in the state.
The commissioner pointed out that efforts have been intensified to sensitise people living in the flood prone areas and riverine dwellers to relocate to avoid future disaster.