BY OKEY NDIRIBE

President Goodluck Jonathan was in a melancholic mood last Thursday  when he addressed victims of  the recent flood disaster in Kogi State at St. Luke Primary School, in Adankolo Area of  Lokoja. He had seen first hand the suffering of the victims of the natural disaster who hailed from 457 communities in the state. Four newborn babies who were delivered at the camp had been brought out for the President to see.

Earlier in the day, the President had visited Ibaji Local Government Area of the  state which was worst hit by he ravaging flood. His mien had changed when he was informed that four rice farmers in the area had committed suicide due to he huge losses they suffered from the flooding.

Commenting on the incident the president had advised victims of the natural disaster to desist from taking extreme decisions.

According to him: “`Please, don’t commit suicide. You have a government that will assist you. “`Even, if you borrow money from banks, don’t worry, when the flood is over, we will know how to deal with it. Be rest assured that the Federal Government and Kogi State will take care of the situation,’’ .

He described the flood as unprecedented and commended the state government, NGOs and  Faith-Based Organisations for their assistance.

He further declared that the Federal Government plans to construct more dams on Rivers Niger and Benue to check the menace of flooding in communities along the river banks.

President Goodluck Jonathan said on Thursday in Lokoja. Addressing victims of the recent flood disaster that affected 457 communities in Kogi, the president described the disaster as natural but said that government would prevent a future re-occurrence.

Kogi  Governor, Capt Idris Wada, had earlier thanked the president and his entourage, for identifying with them adding that the visit was a demonstration of the president’s deepest feeling and concern for the victims.

Areal view of Lokoja, Kogi State…under the siege of flood

He said he was particularly happy with the deployment of a search-and-rescue team to Ibaji LGA to rescue trapped victims.

Wada also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for releasing N500 million to enable the victims to feed well.

Dan Musa Bashir  who responded on behalf of the victims expressed  gratitude to the president, as well as the state government, for caring.

The flood which began ravaging the state about a month ago has caused the people of the state and thousands of travelers untold hardship.

For instance,  thousands of travelers  heading towards Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory had been trapped along the Abuja-Lokoja Express Road  after a section of the road was submerged.

Also a  large number of trucks conveying petroleum products and other goods from different parts of the country to Abuja and other parts of Northern Nigeria had been trapped at the submerged section of the highway. Some of the truck drivers who spoke to  Vanguard said they had been trapped at the spot for a week. Also thousands of travellers on their way to Abuja were stranded at the flooded portion of the road.

The level of the flood later rose and covered long trucks that had been held in a terrible traffic gridlock which persisted for close to two weeks.

Investigations carried out by Vanguard revealed that whereas the level  of the flood was such that huge trucks, other articulated vehicles and even certain types of sports utility vehicles could drive through the submerged road at the onset of the natural disaster about a month ago,  this was no longer possible since about  a week ago.  Several residents of Lokoja who spoke to Vanguard confirmed the development.

A man who spoke to  Vanguard on condition of anonymity said  he  travelled from Lokoja to Abuja penultimate Saturday and had to board a canoe which ferried him from one submerged end of the road to another and paid only N50 as fare.

Said he: “I travelled from Abuja to Lokoja penultimate Wednesday; then there was no problem. It was the following Friday when I wanted to travel back to Abuja that I noticed that flood had  covered part of the road. Then some articulated  and sports utility vehices could drive through the flood.

“As a result of this development, I had to return to Lokoja. It was the following day that  I had to take a bike to beat the massive traffic jam which was caused by the flood to enable me reach the crossing spot fast. I then boarded a canoe and crossed to the other side.”

Infact, several trucks that are presently submerged along the highway were said to have been  overwhelmed by the rising flood which forced their drivers to abandon them and flee.