By joshua 
Lokoja, July 20, 2023
The Kogi Government has initiated the State Humanitarian Preparedness Plan 2023 workshop, aimed at increasing the efficiency of early warning system and strengthen preparedness and response.
Hajiya Amina Usman-Musa, the Special Adviser to Kogi Governor on Humanitarian, disclosed this at the second phase of “Kogi State Humanitarian Flood Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting” on Wednesday in Lokoja.
She noted that the first phase of the meeting took place on May 31 to June 1, 2023, organised for desk officers from the nine affected local government areas of Omala, Ibaji, Ofu, Igalamela, Bassa, Kotonkarfe, Lokoja and Ajaokuta.
Usman-Musa commended the stakeholders for their shared concern and commitment towards finding a solution to flood crises in Kogi State.
She said that the Flood experienced by Nigeria in 2022 was one of the highest magnitudes recorded in decades. In 2023, saying the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) of the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMET) had predicted an intense rainfall and long duration seasons.
According to her, the stakeholders meeting is to discuss and deliberate on the preparedness, modalities, plan and strategies on the predicted flood for 2023.
She explained that the objectives of the meeting was to continue consultation and identify needs related to early warning and preparedness for the anticipated flooding.
“To identify the existing government resources available to contribute to flood early warning and preparedness system, identify gaps and provide recommendations for short term, medium term and long-term solutions for flood early warning and preparedness system”, she said..
She emphasised that the expected outcomes would be to map out government available resources and gap response to the expected flood for 2023.
She added that the workshop would also identify the potential UN agencies INGOs, NGOs, Private sector actors that could compliments the government effort with their respective areas of mandate and available resources.
The special adviser assured that Kogi Government was trying all possible means to prepare for a permanent relocation for the people living at the river banks and prone areas.
She, therefore called for partnership in the relocation of communities and flood affected victims to a higher ground for safety as temporary, and construction of flood housing estate phase 2 as permanent measures.
“The building of flood estate phase 2 is a continuation to the already existing phase 1.
“The issue of relocation of the flood victims is very paramount that the Kogi State Government through the Bureau of lands provided land for the construction and the relocation of the affected victims.
“These lands are situated at Karara, Jamata, Wada road bypass, off ganaja and Area 10 part of the State. These locations were visited during the last stakeholders meeting.
“The flood issue is a very huge project for the state and will only require the financial assistance from the Federal Government and Development partners to achieve our goal”, she said.
She commended the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for its decision to support the state to build temporary evacuation camps, and called for more partners on the prospects to achieve the goal of building a new community for permanent relocation.
The special adviser urged the participants to share their experiences and contributions with a view of improving on the conduct of flood crises in Kogi.
She added: “The office is also open to receiving humanitarian emergency relief items as a competent flood warehouse and a warehouse manager is readily available”.
She noted that the Office of the Special Adviser on Humanitarian together with Ministries and Agencies of the state, are working on compiling a humanitarian planning document, which would serve as a guide in the future.
Usman-Musa said that His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, acknowledged the commitment of all the support provided by all the international partners and private companies during and after the previous crises, and implored everyone for their cooperation.
Also speaking, Mr Tsegaye Asrat, the Field Coordinaton Officer of IOM, said the agency had been in Kogi responding to flood emergencies and always preparing to support the government and most vulnerable population affected by flood.
“We are at the preparation stage; our area of intervention is shelttering and management of displaced victims of flood just Incase it happens as predicted by NiMET,” he said.
“We will continue to support the state government”, Asrat said.
Participants at the workshop include: IOM, United Nation Population Fund Agency (UNPFA), Save the Children International, Nigerian Redcross Society and the Humanitarian Flood Local Organizing Committee in which members are constituted from various MDAs.
End