By joshua 
A Non Governmental Organisation, Civil Society Organization’s on Society for Water and Sanitations (NEWSAN), has tasked the Federal Government and other agencies on the need to build toilets in the internally displaced persons camps in Kogi State.
The Kogi State Coordinator of NEWSAN, Pastor Roseline Omowunmi Alabi, made the call while carrying out an on the spot assessment of places flooded in Lokoja and to some internally displaced persons camps, said the need to promote hygiene and strive towards prevention of cholera owing to the flood that has ravaged the State cannot be overemphasize.
The on the spot tour of the flooded areas and IDP camps was carried out by NEWSAN in collaboration with State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sanitation Board, RUWASSA and other Stakeholders, visited Marine Area, Adankolo Housing Estate, Ganaja Village, Kabawa Communities as well as IDP camps in Gadumo and in Adankolo.
The Coordinator called on the Federal Government to quickly intervene so as to prevent any outbreak of water borne diseases, described the state of the water the people drink and the environmental condition of the camps as unhygienic.
The State Coordinator charged the people on behavioural change, urged them to boil there water before drinking, cultivate the habit of hand washing as well as cautioned against defecating in the water.
The State Coordinator of NEWSAN also made appeal for more toilets to be built in the IDP camps, described the few available as not enough, as well as called for treated water to be provided for the people.
Pastor Alabi empathized with the people affected by the flood, expressed worries that the flood wrecked wanton destruction to properties and rendered thousands of residents homeless.
While sympathising with the families affected by the flood across the states, the State Coordinator hinted that her organisation is working in synergy with relevant agencies towards curtailing the outbreak of water borne diseases as result of the flooding that has rendered many homeless, with no clean water to drink.
In the same vein, a member of the Coalition, Mr. Ben Joshua urged International organisations and well meaning corporate and Individuals to help the victims to survive the hard times. He particularly solicited for toilets in the IDP camps and good drinking water.
Lamenting her ordeal in the hands of the flood, Egwim LilianOguzu, amidst sobbing, said all her labours over the years have been lost to the flood, decried lack of toilet and potable drinking water at the IDP camp in Gadumo.