Senate calls for FG’s intervention for Kogi rainstorm victims

The Senate on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to provide  seed capitals for the  victims of rainstorm in Kogi State, in order to facilitate their various economic activities. 

Senator representing Kogi East, Senator Isa Jibril relied on order 42 and 52 to present his motion his motion on “Urgent Need for Rehabilitation of Communities Affected by Rainstorm in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State through provision of Relief Materials, Residential, Education, Health and Other Facilities”, during the plenary 

He notes that Olamaboro LGA with its headquarters in Okpo covers about 1,123 km2 and has a population of about 213,900, with farming as the major occupation of the people; 

“The commencement of the rains, over 200 residential buildings weredestroyed across many communities in the LGA in a rainstorm, following a heavy downpour on 9th April, 2021; 

“Atypart from destruction of residential buildings, the devastating rainstorm also ravaged crops, farmlands, schools, worship houses, clinics and businesses in several communities in the LGA; 

“Many victims of the disaster sustained varying degrees of injury and are receiving medical attention at various health centres within the LGA and neighbouring LGAs; Concerned that the disaster creates a serious humanitarian crisis as families are rendered homeless and their means of livelihood and properties woxth millions of naira destroyed by the rainstorm, thereby creating a situation of internal displacement”, Sen. Jibrin stated.
According to him, for ease of intervention, the major affected communities are. Ogugu Central, Ogene~0forachi, Emodida, Iyono, Emagaba No.1, Emenega, Emonoja-Aludu, 

Others are Egahimotu and Adupi Emoriko in Ogugu Dtstrict. In addition to many others within Okpo and lmane communities.
The Senate, therefore, resolves to mandate the Committee on Special Duties. to liaise with the National Emergency Management Agency. to urgently supply relief and rehabilitation materials to the communities affected. to mitigate the sufferings of the victims. 

It also mandated the Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Investment Programme (SIP), to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. to provide minimal seed capitals for the victims in the affected communities, to facilitate their various economic activities. 
Both Committees are to report back to the Senate within two weeks.