Kogi State government has heightened its preparedness for the 2024 flood season by acquiring four motorised fibreglass boats donated by the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC).
The boats, intended for search and rescue operations, were formally received by the Commissioner for Transportation, Atuluku Victor Levi, representing Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on behalf of the Kogi State Government.
The handover took place at N-HYPPADEC headquarters in Minna, Niger State, during a commissioning ceremony, which also saw attendance by representatives from other states impacted by hydroelectric power operations. As one of the ten HYPPADEC member states, Kogi State benefits significantly from deploying these boats as part of its flood mitigation efforts.
Speaking during the event, Yakubu Garba, Deputy Governor of Niger State, extended a warm welcome to the Kogi delegation, commending the state’s proactive approach to disaster preparedness.
He acknowledged the deep ties between Niger and Kogi, lauding the leadership of Governor Ododo in addressing flood-related challenges.
The four fibreglass boats are equipped to handle swift water search and rescue missions and will support Kogi State’s ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and property during the flood season. With arrangements already in place for the safe transportation of the boats to Kogi, the state is intensifying its flood management measures.
LEADERSHIP recall that Kogi State became the epicentre of the 2022 flood, where several people were killed, and hundreds of thousands were rendered homeless. Kogi was one of the hardest hit by seasonal floods due to its location at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers and has maintained a high level of vigilance over the emerging flood situation.
The state government, in collaboration with N-HYPPADEC, has implemented several proactive measures, including public sensitisation campaigns, early warnings to riverine communities, and the establishment of evacuation protocols.
