By Abdullahi Lukman
The Kogi State Government has urged residents living in flood-prone areas to begin relocating to safer locations as part of early precautions ahead of the anticipated seasonal flooding.
The warning was issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, in a statement released in Lokoja.
He emphasized the need for proactive action to avoid loss of lives, citing the state’s repeated experiences with devastating floods over the past two decades.
Fanwo acknowledged residents’ emotional attachment to their ancestral homes but stressed that survival must take precedence.
“You have to be alive to stay in your ancestral homes,” he said, calling on residents to put safety first.
He reassured the public of the government’s commitment to supporting displaced persons, adding that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is already preparing to manage the risks and care for affected individuals.
The commissioner appealed for support from the Federal Government, NGOs, and development partners, noting that the scale of the challenge requires collaboration.
He also called on community leaders, religious groups, and civil society organizations to help spread awareness and ensure timely evacuations.
