The Kogi State House of Assembly has called on the state government to urgently intervene in the devastating flooding that has affected several communities in Bassa Local Government Area, following damage to the Oguma-Sheria Bridge.
The call followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Bassa Constituency, Hon. Sunday Daku, during plenary.
Presenting the motion, Daku said heavy rainfall recorded in the area on September 28, 2026, posed a serious threat to the safety and livelihoods of residents.
He noted that the absence of a protective embankment around the bridge had further exposed the structure to the destructive impact of flooding.
According to him, communities including Gbogboligbo, Koriko I and II, among others, were significantly affected by the flood.
The lawmaker described the Oguma-Sheria Bridge as a vital link connecting the affected communities to the local government headquarters and major commercial centres, stressing that farmers, traders, students and patients rely heavily on the route for their daily activities.
Daku further raised concerns over the humanitarian consequences of the disaster, saying several families had lost their homes, farmlands, farm produce and other valuable properties.
He warned that the situation could worsen if urgent measures were not taken, particularly as displaced residents were reportedly facing difficulties accessing shelter, food, clean water and medical care.
He also cautioned that continued rainfall could cause further structural damage to the bridge, restrict movement and adversely affect agricultural, commercial and other socio-economic activities.
Supporting the motion, the lawmaker representing Yagba West Constituency, Hon. Idowu Ibikunle, expressed solidarity with the people of Bassa, noting that communities in his constituency were also experiencing the impact of the flooding.
He specifically highlighted the situation in Ogbe community, where the Oyi Bridge, which provides a critical link between the community and the Yagba West Local Government headquarters, had also been affected by the flooding.
Ibikunle said the condition of the bridge was already creating difficulties for residents and could further disrupt movement, trade and other socio-economic activities if urgent intervention was not provided.
He therefore supported the call for immediate government intervention, stressing the need for affected communities across the state to receive necessary assistance and for critical infrastructure damaged by the floods to be urgently assessed and restored.
The House called on the Kogi State Government, through the Ministry of Works, to immediately assess and repair the Oguma-Sheria Bridge, with particular attention to the construction of a protective embankment to safeguard the structure against further flooding.
The lawmakers also called on the state government, in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency and the Ministry of Health, to urgently provide relief materials to affected communities.
The House further urged the Ministry of Health to deploy emergency medical teams to the affected areas to prevent possible disease outbreaks arising from the flooding.
Daku appealed to his colleagues to support the motion, stressing that the situation directly affects the lives, livelihoods and socio-economic well-being of the people of Bassa Local Government Area.
The motion underscored the need for coordinated and timely intervention to mitigate the effects of the flooding, protect critical infrastructure and provide relief to communities affected across the state.
KOGI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, LOKOJA
MOTION OF URGRNT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE MOTION FOR URGENT STATE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN BASSA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA FOLLOWING DESTRUCTIVE FLOODING THAT AFFECTED THE OGUMA-SHERIA BRIDGE AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
The RT. Hon. Speaker, the principal officers and my honorable colleagues, I rise to move a motion of urgent public importance. On the 28th of September, 2026, heavy rainfall in Bassa Local Government Area caused severe flooding that damaged the Oguma-Sheria Bridge, posing a critical threat to government investment due to the lack of an embankment upon its completion.
The flood heavily affected several communities, particularly Gbogboligbo, Koriko I & Il, Kpekpere, Shemeje, and Orokwo-Ibuse in Akuba II. The Oguma-Sheria bridge serves as the vital link between communities, the local government headquarters, and the main commercial hub, carrying farmers, traders, students, and medical patients daily.
HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
Numerous families have lost their homes, farmlands, produce, and property. This destruction has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, leaving many displaced without access to shelter, food, clean water, or medicine.
Furthermore, stagnant floodwaters and poor sanitation could heighten the risk of disease outbreaks like cholera and malaria. Without immediate intervention therefore, loss of crops will guarantee severe hardship, and further rains will cause additional structural failure to the bridge.
The compromised Oguma-Sheria Bridge if not attended to, shall restricts movement and hinder agricultural and socio-economic activities and emergency aid.
PRAYERS
Be it resolved that this Honorable House:
1. Urge the Kogi State Government, through the Ministry of Works, to conduct an immediate assessment and repair of the Oguma-Sheria Bridge, with specific focus on constructing a protective embankment.
2. Urge the Kogi State Government to urgently deploy emergency relief supplies including food, clean water, bedding, clothing, and medical care to the affected communities.
3. Direct the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assess the total damage and provide temporary shelter and support for displaced residents.
4. Direct the State Ministry of Health to deploy emergency medical teams to prevent potential epidemic outbreaks.
The RT. Hon. Speaker, this matter directly impacts the lives and livelihoods of our people. I urge my distinguished colleagues to support this motion.
I so move.
Dated today: 2026
Hon. Sunday Daku Member Representing Bassa Constituency, Kogi State House of Assembly.
