President Goodluck Jonathan has urged victims of the flood disaster in Kogi state not worry or commit suicide over the loss of property, as they have a responsible government that cares for the people.
Jonathan who made this call while speaking at St Luke Primary Schools, one of the several relief camps in the State, appealed to owners of property destroyed by the flood not to bother themselves as the government will cushion the effects of the flood in all the affected states.
The president, who was earlier on spot assessment of Ibaji and Idah Local government areas which were completely submerged by water, stated that federal government is planning to build more dams as measure to control future occurrence.
He described the ravaging flood as a natural disaster, stressing that the magnitude this year’s flood was last witnessed in 1969.
The president also explained that part of Federal Government efforts to cushion the devastating effects in all the affected states of the Federation, is the inauguration of a high power committee headed by the President of Dangote groups, Alhaji Aliko, to raise funds which will mitigate against the effects of the of the flood.
President Jonathan landed at the Maigumeri Barracks in an Hellicopter at about 11AM, accompanied by the Minister of Environment and the Director-General of the National Emergency Agency (NEMA).
Arriving Lokoja, the state capital, the president and the state governor, Captain Idris Wada in his address, told the president that he has approached the Ministers of Works, Mines and Power to release some of the housing estate that belong to the federal government and the abandoned houses in Ajaokuta for the relocation of the affected people.
President Goodluck Jonathan before giving his speech, demanded to see some of the 23 babies born that were delivered in the relief camp. He also gave an opportunity to the leader of the relief camp to address him.
While thanking the victims for their patience with the government, he pointed out that he was in the state to commiserate with them and the state government over the devastating effects of the flood in the nine affected local governments areas.
According to the President, the flood was linked up to global warming.
He commended the state governor for his efforts to provide the alternative relief camps and materials for the affected.
The president also lauded all other emergency agencies such as NEMA, SEMA, Red Cross, NGOs and all the development partners who have assisted in managing the disaster.
