By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Traders in Sarkin-Noma Market in Lokoja, Kogi State on Saturday urged the state government to expand the bridge on Kokore River to prevent incessant flooding of the market during rainfall.
The traders made the passionate demand while speaking on the flooding experienced in the market following heavy rain on Saturday.
After the downpour on Sunday, many stalls in the market were submerged with goods washed away.
During a visit to the market on Sunday, some traders whose stalls were affected betrayed emotion as they lamented their losses.
Speaking on behalf of the affected traders, Alhaji Tanimu Bello, said the market had been experiencing flooding in the past twenty years because the bridge on the Kokore River is too small for the volume of water that passes through whenever the area witnesses heavy rain.
He said, “The bridge on the Kokore River is too narrow. There is a need to expand the bridge and dredge the river more. This is not the first time flood will affect the market. It happened every year.
“The incident affected many traders selling provisions, cattle, ram and cassava. They lost huge money to the flooding. We went to the Ministry of Environment sometime ago to complain but the problem persists.
“I want to appeal to the state government to help us expand the bridge and also expand the river to allow easy flow of water, especially whenever there is heavy rain. Also, we are seeking the government’s assistance on behalf of those that lost goods to the incident.”
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