By Olu Samuel, Lokoja

No fewer than 500 houses have been submerged while properties worth several Millions of Naira have been destroyed as parts of Lokoja,the Kogi state capital was visited by massive flood.

Worst hit area is Adankolo community where several houses were submerged rendering several occupants homeless.

Our correspondent who visited Agbayi Quarters and other communities off Ganaja road, Flood victims were seen trying to evacuate their belongings from the water filled houses.

Residents spoken to lamented government’s insensitivity towards victims as there had been enough notice of the impending flood.

“Nobody should come here
and video my properties. This is the same way some people came during the last flood incidence and took pictures of our houses and went to collect money with it without getting Back to us”.A resident who preferred anonimity told our reporter.

She pleaded with government to come to their aid as they have no place to keep their belongings.

Tricycle otherwise known as Keke NAPEP operators makes brisk businesses helping to move personal effects from the flooded houses to dryland .

Canoes were also seen being used to ferry residents from Gadumo to dryland at Ganaja village.

The flood did not spear worship centers as over 20 churches and mosques are seen being evacuated while worshipers stayed away. Some other worshipers
resorted to makeshift worship centres.

The Kogi state commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Victor Omofaiye who visited the affected areas on Monday said that government’s effort to cussion the effect of the flood on the
residents is yielding desired results.

“We have activities that is segmented and the first segment has to do with sensitization and
carrying out awareness campaign. We have gone round the flood prone area to tell tell them that once there is an occurrence, they should move to an higher ground, but its quite unfortunate that some people will not
relocate and they will be telling you that they can’t move out of their ancestral homes”.

He said that “some people will deliberately build houses on the waterways or the bank of the river not minding the dangers associated with blocking water ways”.

The commissioner maintained that several IDP camps have been provided while other hostels that can accommodate thousands of people have been
prepared but most victim are not making use of the camps despite the fact that enough provision is made for their safety and security.

He said that government will stop at nothing to continue to protect the lives and properties of residents and citizens.

He said that bankinization project though not completed yet is really reducing the effect of the flood.

Lokoja have been in the news as a result of the Occurrence of flooding. This is as a result of the presence of the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue

The latest development was as result of opening of lagdo dam in Cameroon into the two river which met to form confluence in Lokoja