Flooding forces commuters in Lokoja to use canoes.

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

Massive flooding in Kogi on Sunday washed out the Ajaokuta-Ganaja-Lokoja road, which connects the city to the state’s eastern region.

According to Track News, the flooding covered a portion of the road in Ganaja village, allowing commuters to cross only by canoe.

Residents note that the road is important for socioeconomic activities because it connects Kogi to the eastern part of the country, which is now inaccessible to motorists and commuters due to flooding.
Canoe operators, they claim, have profited from the situation, charging passengers between N50 and N100 to ferry them across the flooded road.

“We have to charge that much because of the rigor involved.”

“As you can see, it’s not easy to ferry passengers across the flooded road,” said Jimoh, a canoe operator.

According to a resident, the flooding has so far caused fear in the minds of residents of Ganaja village and its environs because it has begun to submerge people’s houses in the area.

“Some of the residents have, therefore, relocated to either their relations or friends in safe communities in the state,” the resident said.

The Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMet) had last week issued a warning of massive surging of flooding in the country, particularly in 13 states including Kogi.

The agency predicted that this would happen within the remaining days in September, following the expected heavy rainfall within the period.

Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) had also on Saturday begun the distribution of relief materials to victims of flood in 10 affected local government areas of Kogi.

Abubakar Yelwa, Managing Director of HYPPADEC, has warned residents not to stay in flood-prone areas.

According to Yelwa, the devastating effects of flooding are beyond anyone’s imagination and should be avoided.

Victor Omofeye, the Kogi Commissioner for Environment, also stated over the phone that the state government was aware of the development.

According to him, the government is determining the best way to deal with the situation, particularly the affected residents.

He urged motorists and commuters to remain calm and avoid endangering their lives by undermining the flood and attempting to cross the flooded road.