The Hydro-Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) on Saturday, distributed relief materials to flood victims in Kogi state.
The distribution took place simultaneously in three locations: Koto Karfe, Adavi and Ajaokuta to cover the 10 local government areas affected.
The relief materials included bags of rice, beans, millet, noodles, salt, blankets, detergents, mattresses and bundles of zinc.
HYPPADEC’s Managing Director, Abubakar Yelwa told the victims, local government officials and traditional rulers, that the gesture was a demonstration of the desire of the federal government to cushion the effects of the flood.
Yelwa, who was represented by Haruna Jimoh, the commission’s Director of Finance and Administration, described the flag off as very important and necessary, considering the devastating effects of the flood this year.
“HYPPADEC shares in your pains and distress and deems it fit to flag off the distribution of these relief materials to help alleviate your suffering.
“We may not meet your expectations but it’s important that we do something to assist you in the unfortunate situation you found yourselves in as a result of flooding.
“It’s our desire that the materials will be judiciously shared among the victims by local government officials and traditional rulers to ensure that no household is left out.
“We are assuring you that this is just the beginning or the first phase of the assistance our commission hopes to render on this menace of flooding that has become prevalent in Kogi,” he said.
He called on the residents of Kogi to stay clear of flood prone areas to avoid being affected since it has become a perennial menace.
Mr. Victor Omofaiye, Commissioner for Environment of the state, said Gov. Yahaya Bello was worried about the menace of flood in the state and directed his ministry to embark on visibility studies and mapping to address the situation.
Receiving the materials on behalf of other local government chairmen, Aliyu Dauda, chairman, Kogi local government area, thanked the commission for its concern and magnanimity towards victims of the flood in the state.
Dauda assured HYPPADEC of the readiness of the officials and traditional rulers to ensuring that no victim was denied the relief materials donated.
Also speaking, the Ohimegye Igu of Koto Karfe, Abdulrazak Sani-Koto, commended HYPPADEC for wiping away the tears of the flood victims with the distribution of relief materials, “which are but necessities considering their plight.”
The traditional ruler urged the commission to do more for the victims due to the devastating effects of the flood.
He said he had made land available to the flood victims to develop and resettle to avoid reoccurrence.
The commission also flagged off the distribution of relief materials with medical outreaches in the three distribution centres for the victims on the ground that the flood caused diseases such as Malaria and Typhoid Fever.
