Olu Samuel, Lokoja
As the effects of flood rage on in Kogi thousands of residents in the State have been subjected to scarcity of drinkable water
Worst hit us the state capital,Lokoja where availability of portable water have become a luxury
Our Correspondent who went round Lokoja metropolis on Saturday gathered that the scarcity was caused by the flood which affected greater Lokoja waterworks where water is being processed and pumped for public consumption.
When our Correspondent visited some houses within the vicinity of Gadumo new layout, one of the areas close to River Niger with many of its residents tourched by the flood, the pumps were seen dry while residents said that it has been like that since last Sunday!
An officer of the State Ministry of Water Resources who spoke with our Correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said,”we can only treat and pump water for public consumption when flood leaves this area”.
Two residents, Muhammed Aliu and Agnes Alabi among others in Gadumo, described the 2022 flood as more devasting,compared to that of 2012.
“In 2012, I was one of those who accommodated some victims in my house as flood did not reach my house in Gadumo. Ironically, this year, I became one of the victims as water flooded my house, forcing me and my family to relocate to squatt with a friend somewhere at Ibaji quarters in Lokoja,”Aliu said.
Also speaking with our Correspondent in a telephone interview, the Presiding Shepherd of Sword of Fire Evangelical Ministry,Pastor Ade Bada, described the effect of this year’s flood in Lokoja as unimaginable.
The Journalist turned cleric said,” with the situation we find ourselves,the flood has added another costly agony to the pain on the ground.”
He prayed to Almighty God to show mercy on the state and its residents and cause a stop to the flood, sooner than later.
Pastor Bada pray God to see the victims through ” this trying time in such away that the effect of the flood will not be overwhelming on them and their families” he said
Some of the residents who turned up at old market side of the town, to see the development, called on authorities in Cameron to stop releasing Lagdo dam water,to check flood in Nigeria.
It was gathered that though the volume of water at river Niger remained brim as at the time of this report 11.28 a.m on Saturday, it has not increased, those around the old market noted that it has not increased in the 24 hours, thus raising the hope of receeding soon.