News Investigators/ Authorities in Nasarawa, Niger and Kogi States have begun taking measures to mitigate imminent flood and its impact on communities following predictions of heavy rainfall in the year by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
Some agencies of the states government and other relevant organisations spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, on their level of preparedness towards the impending flood in parts of the country.
Dr Ibrahim Hussaini, Director, Information and Special Duties at the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), told NAN in Minna that the Agency was working in collaboration with the National emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to come up with flood mitigation strategies in anticipation of the annual flood outlook.
“We have received communication from NEMA on the annual flood outlook, and we are putting in place mitigation strategies to minimise the impact of flooding in the state,” he said.
He said NSEMA was organising statewide sensitisation and advocacy visits to all the emirates, with plans to hold town hall meetings with those in riverine communities.
Hussaini added that the agency aimed to sensitise communities on flood preparedness and mitigation strategies, using its informants networks in the communities and compound-to-compound sensitisation.
He outlined the agency’s several flood mitigation measures, including the stockpiling and repositioning of relief materials in different locations, identification of safer grounds as emergency locations, and evacuation centres.
He disclosed that the state government had also approved the purchase of emergency water purification trucks to provide portable water for affected people.
Also, Malam Hussaini Isah, Head of Operations of NEMA in charge of Niger and Kwara, said the agency had tasked the state government to translate its strategies into indigenous dialects for better assimilation by the people.
He emphasised the importance of early warning measures, evacuation to high ground, and provision of shelter to affected persons.
Isah also highlighted the agency’s plans to sensitise farmers to use improved seeds, when to plant, and when to harvest to avoid
He disclosed that NEMA in the state had started stockpiling relief materials, both food and non-food items, in preparation for potential flooding.
He added that the agency was also working with stakeholders to identify safe grounds for possible IDPs camps and shelters for affected people.
“By taking proactive measures, we can strengthen the resilience of our communities and minimise the impact of flooding,” he said
In Nasarawa State, Mr Benjamin Akwash, Director-General, Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), told NAN in Lafia, that the state government was taking proactive measures ahead of the onset of heavy rains.
Akwah said that government had set up an environmental sanitation taskforce saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that residents cleared their drains to avert blockage of that waterways.
He said the state government, through his agency had intensified sensitisation of people in flood-prone communities, to desist from practices such as discriminate refuse disposal that could block waterways.
The NASEMA boss said that blocking the waterways would lead to avoidable consequences and urged the public to be deliberate in guarding against it.
He noted that flooding had caused so many deaths and destruction of properties in the past and urged the residents to be proactive this time around.
In Kogi State, relevant agencies have also taken steps to avert flooding.
According to Mr Abdullahi Abubakar, the Acting Secretary, Kogi branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), the European Humanitarian Aid (EHA) is partnering NRCS on flood response not only in Kogi but across the country.
Abubakar also said the European Union (EU) 2024 flood response had empowered 500 women of child bearing age in 11 communities across three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Lokoja, Kogi and Idah.
The branch secretary also said EU, through its intervention project in partnership with NRCS, had provided relief and recovered support to thousands of flood affected households in many states and was ready to do same in 2025.
He further disclosed that against the predicted flood in 2025, the EHA and NRC would provide integrated flood response intervention projects through the International Federation of Red Cross FRC and Crescent Societies in flood prone areas.
Abubakar urged residents of flood-prone communities to adhere to early warning signs and relocate to upland for their own safety as the rainy season approaches.
He noted that the floor would definitely come as predicted by NIMET, so prevention is always better and safer than cure.
He, however, appealed to Local Community Leaders to identify the highland areas ahead of time, to enable them to move to such areas before flooding.
Abubakar said as part of the societies’ precautionary efforts, capacity buildings, stakeholders’ workshops and training programmes would be organised to enhance knowledge and skills on flood preparedness and response.
“There will be massive community sensitisation campaigns across LGAs to educate residents on flood preparedness and safety measures.
“We will collaborate with traditional rulers by mobilising them to amplify flood preparedness messages and promote self-evacuation plans.
“Also we will ensure public awareness campaigns by launching radio jingles and other media campaigns to raise awareness on flood preparedness and safety measures.
“We will set up a technical committee to oversee and coordinate 2025 flood management efforts, and ensure a unified and effective response to potential flood threats.
NAN
