By Tido Lawal
The Kogi State House of Assembly has demanded the state government to direct Kogi State Property Management Limited to immediately suspend its planned eviction of flood victims currently occupying the estate constructed for them.
The Assembly made the call in a resolution arising from the adoption of a motion of Urgent Public Importance calling on Kogi State Government to Come to the Aid of Flood Victims in Felele Estate.
Hon Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijani (APC-Lokoja I) moved the motion, appealing to the Kogi State government to assist the victims with financial grants, if they must move, to enable them to rent houses to facilitate their relocation before implementing the eviction order.
He further implored the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to liaise with relevant agencies and authorities to intervene in the affairs of the flood victims.
Quoting him, “The Felele Estate was built with counterpart funds of the Federal Mortgage Bank and the Kogi State government through Kogi State Investment and Property Limited.
“The House to note that the camp was officially declared open by the state government through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on the 10th of September, 2017 as a place of temporary habitation for the flood victims of that year, to provide them with succour towards relieving them of the hardship caused by the disasters
“It will equally interest the House to note that the immediate past governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in ameliorating the suffering of the victims, sank boreholes in the estate to cater to their water needs.
“In appreciation, the over 850 victims mobilized themselves to work for the re-election of the APC government at all levels, including organizing a prayer session for the success of the present government.
“Sadly, the victims are today tagged illegal occupants by the Kogi State Property Management Limited and are mandated to vacate the Estate within a short time as the buildings are put up for sale.
“Currently the victims, who can hardly afford three meals a day, are left to look for another shelter for themselves.”
The legislators at plenary aligned themselves with the motion and its prayers .
In his rulings, the speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, adopted the motion following overwhelming voice votes in its favour and directed the clerk of the House, Ahmed Chogudo, to communicate the resolution of the Assembly to appropriate authorities.
