By joshua 
By
Enemali Theophilus
At least four persons have been confirmed killed Including a three year old baby by the massive flood disaster that has sacked the entire Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi state.
The chairman of the local government, Hon Williams Iko-ojo made this known while speaking with newsmen and the media team of Ibaji Unity Forum on Tuesday. In his words, he said ” As I’m speaking with you right now, there is no single habitable land in Ibaji, everywhere has been submerged and people are in a devastating condition. To be honest, the humanitarian crisis is beyond what the local government can tackle, and we are calling on the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and all relevant authorities to come to the aid of my people”
Ibaji local government is an agrarian community with a beautiful reputation for great agricultural produce, but sadly, that has been submerged by the flood.
Speaking also, the traditional ruler, Ejeh of Ibaji and Chairman of Ibaji Traditional Council, Ajofe John Odiche Egwemi called on the Federal government to complete the dredging of the river Niger and also embark on building dams as a long term solution to the flooding. He said,
“I feel very devastated with the magnitude and the destructions that have come from the flood disaster. Usually, we do experience flooding of farmlands between August to October but not of this magnitude. The flooding then usually comes with alluvial soil for rich harvest and plenty of fish. That was how our parents and great parents lived and enjoyed the community.”
Ibaji local government area is along the coast of river Niger and across it, is Edo state, and towards the eastern flank, it is bordered by Enugu state and then bordered by Anambra state in the southern region of the local government.
Ibaji local government occupies a 1,377km² with a population of almost 180,000 people according to National Population Commission’s data.
While speaking the traditional ruler Chief Egwemi, expressed his huge gratitude to the bishop of Idah Diocese, Most Rev Dr Anthony Ademu Adaji, who donated two large boats to convey those stranded in Ibaji and also brought them to the IDP camp that the Catholic diocese of Idah has been so kind to provide.
He also thanked individual donors and also the Hydroelectric Development Area Commission HYPPADEC, for their assistance and urged them to capture the entirety of the local government area and not a selected towns, as every part is flood prone.
When asked whether the state goverment has reached out to the local government, the traditional ruler affirms that the deputy governor, Chief Edward Onoja, reached out and assured that relief materials will soon be conveyed and other palliative measures will be put in place, but nothing had been delivered as at the time of filing this report.
Speaking also, Bar. Stephen Ugbeda Uchola, the president of Ibaji Unity Forum, the non-governmental organisation that organised the media tour, in order to take stocks of the flood tragedy, also called on all relevant authorities to come to the aid of Ibaji as a matter of urgency and asked the federal government, and the state government to declare a state of emergency in Ibaji in order to expedite action in bringing succour to the people.