Olu Samuel, Lokoja

The Hydroelectric Power Producing Area Development Commission HYPPADEC has flagged off a Two Hundred and Twenty Million Naira project for erosion control and flood mitigation in Kogi state.

This is part of measures put in place to reduce the effects of the flooding on the residents of the state,

The Commission flagged of the intervention project on Friday in Kotonkarfe, the Headquarters of Kogi Local Government area.

Recall that Kotonkarfe and other adjoining communities were submerged during the 2022 flooding incidence that kept about nine Local Government areas of Kogi state under the water.

According to the Managing Director of the Commission, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, the project comprises of clearing of water ways that have been blocked, construction of culverts and other means amongst others.

His words “we are all aware that water has its own channels and once the channels are blocked by human activities, the water will find its own route and that is why we have the flood affecting our homes and farmlands.

The contract which is to be handled by ATMPSUDA Integrated Services Limited is expected to be completed and deliver in eight weeks.

Yelwa explained that following devastating effect of the flood on the residents of ancient town of Koton Karfi ,the commission had met with the Kogi State Ministry of Environment , Ministry of works and the community leaders on what to do about the perennial flooding in the community.

He noted that the decision taken at that meeting is what is happening here today, adding that HYPPADEC has taken up the responsibility to control erosion through channelisation of some river, drainage and construction of culverts where necessary.

In his remark, the Ohimeghe-Igu of Kotonkarfe, Alhaji Abdulrazak Isa Koto thanked the commission for showing key interest in Igu kingdom and initiating such project that can reduce the effects of flooding on the people of Kotonkarfe.

While counting their loses, the traditional ruler explained that the flooding did not just destroy houses and farmlands but the casualties recorded was heart breaking.

Dr. Isa Koto further explained that the casualties recorded was increased because the Kotonkarfe communities were cut off from the state capital where the people would have been able to access tertiary healthcare facilities but the timely intervention of HYPPADEC will reduce the casualties as the awareness on flooding thickens in Kogi State.