The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has urged Kogi riverine communities at the banks of Rivers Niger and Benue to relocate to the upland due to impending floods.

Sadiq Yelwa, N-HYPPADEC’s managing director, gave the advice at the palaces of the Atta Igala, Alaji Matthew Opaluwa Oguche-Akpa, and the Eje of Ibaji during a sensitisation tour on Sunday to Idah and Ibaji LGAs.

He said the warning was a result of the impending floods due to the release of water from the Niger Dam and Lagdo Dam some days ago.

Mr Yelwa urged the traditional rulers to enlighten their subjects on the dangers of imminent floods and encourage them to relocate to higher and safer grounds to avoid human and material casualties from flooding.

He urged the royal fathers to impress on their subjects the need to heed the warnings by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) of imminent floods that would surpass that of 2022 with devastating effects.

“Flood is a natural phenomenon that no one can stop, and the only option left is for the people to prepare against it to avoid being caught unprepared,” Mr Yelwa said.

He, therefore, urged the communities in the 10 flood-prone local government areas of the state to be vigilant to avoid being overrun by water overnight, stressing that the onslaught remained unpredictable.

“It is being anticipated that the effect may be higher than it has always been. Therefore, it is always good to call on the subjects to be careful and endeavour to relocate to safer grounds until the situation becomes healthier so that we can avoid loss of lives.

“That is why we felt we should come and pass this message to the royal fathers so that they will inform their subjects. We have visited Atta Igala and Eje Ibaji. We have been advising and appealing to the traditional rulers, youths, and community leaders.

“We need the leaders to help us prevail on the people living along river basins and channels to move up land until the situation improves.

“We have also procured two boats for Ibaji communities, which will be commissioned and put to use on Thursday,” Mr Yelwa added.

The Atta-Igala, Matthew Opaluwa Oguche-Akpa, promised to sensitise his people to ensure they moved.

The Atta-Igala commended N-HYPPADEC for its presence in ameliorating the hardships on the riverine communities in Kogi.

The Eje of Ibaji, Ajofe Egwemi, described flooding in Ibaji LGA as a natural phenomenon that had come to stay in view of its recurrence. The traditional ruler urged the commission to table its age-long request to construct an all-season road.

(NAN)