Stakeholders in emergency and disaster management say Kogi lacks the human power, skills, finance and equipment to effectively and adequately manage flood disasters which have become a perennial problem in the state.The communique, which was issued at the end of the two – day 2019 second quarterly meeting held in Lokoja, said that the development was responsible for the huge loss recorded in the state during the 2012 flood disaster and the subsequent ones.
The communique was signed by Mrs Dorcas Enehe of the state Ministry of Environment, Mr Paul Enemali and Mrs Bukola Ikuseru of State Emergency Management Agency and Mr Stephen Alabi of the Fire Service Department. ” Kogi State Government should ensure that SEMA is properly established with functional technical department in order to operate effectively,” the communique said.
Earlier, while declaring the meeting open, the Director – General of NEMA, Mr Mustapha Maihaja, said that the forum was organised to ascertain the state’s flood emergency preparedness and response strategy.