By Correspondent in Lokoja.
Lokoja/Kotonkarfe axis of Abuja High way during 2022 flood.
Photo credit: Nature News.
Flooding, the major problem causing nightmare for the people of Kotonkarfe Local Governnent Area of Kogi State will soon be a thing of the past.
This is because the Hydroelectric Power Producing Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has awarded N220 million contract for the construction of water channel at Kotonkarfe to check flooding in the area.
Our Correspondent gathered that the effort by the organization is also geared towards providing intervention for communities within its jurisdiction, facing environmental challenges
The Managing Director of the Commission, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, who made the disclosure on Thursday in Kotonkarfe at the handling of the site to the contractor, added that the project would be completed in eight months.
He added that the decision of the commission to embark on the project was sequel to the appeal by the community, citing danger and hardship faced them and travellers plying the the area to other places consequent upon yearly flooding of the Akpankiti stream that runs through the community.
Yelwa said the Commission,after due consultation with the stakeholders, swung into action and awarded the construction of the channel to Atimpsuda Integrated Services at the cost of N220 million.
Giving insight into the project,Yelwa explained that 120 meters would be concrete drains while culverts would be constructed,if need be.
He promised to construct a special refuse dump for the community to avoid littering the channel with disposables, one of the causes of blockage to the waterway.
He said:" We are here today as a result of our previous visit to this community.
"When we came, we went around the town and the community complained of the need to open up this place( stream) to prevent frequent floods affecting the drains at the Kotonkarfe end of the Abuja Lokoja highway.
"We quickly organised stakeholders’ meeting, we saw the major problems causing the flooding, which is overstocking the drains and when the waterways are blocked, it is natural that the water will find another way which may cause havoc to the people.
” We, then agreed to construct a modern To Go channel and de-silt some Good in Eight weeks."
The HYPPADEC boss, however, warned residents to be conscious of the danger of disposing of wastes into the channel, reminding them that the development was largely responsible for lack of free flow of water.
Responding, the elated traditional ruler of the area, the Ohimege Igu of Kotonkarfe, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto, commended the management and staff of the commission for their relentless efforts in providing solutions to environmental challenges confronting his kingdom.
He said that the Chiefs in the council had approved the award of the traditional title of “Garkuwa of Igu kingdom" on the chairman of the commission with the salutation of" Daudu ", in appreciation of his contribution towards solving problems facing the people of his kingdom,
According to him, any time rainy season sets in, fear always grip his people as to what will happen to their lives and property due to recurring flooding.
Other important signatories at the occasion include; Alhaji Ozi Salami, Board member of the commission, Kogi state Commissioner for Environment, Victor Omofaiye and Samson Bako,his counter part in charge of works and housing Kogi State Coordinator of the commission, Engr. Joan Oguche Chairman of Kogi Kotonkarfe Local Government Council among others.
Our Correspondent recalls that Kogi State, especially its Kotonkarfe community, had its terrible share of the devasitating effect of the 2022 flood that with enormous loss of property,farm land and in few cases,lives.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
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