How challenges of impending flood be mitigated in Nigeria say NEMA, NDDC

Against the backdrop of the impending floods in the country especially the nine Niger Delta States, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and sister agencies have  come up with the steps in order for the impending floods be mitigated  to save lives and property in land.   Among the methods is proactive measures which include regular  clearing of drainages, to stop  indiscrimate dumping of refuse,  stopping the building houses on water channels, doing irrigation to channel water away from the area and others.

This was revealed by the agencies on Monday at the sensitization / engagement campaign organised by Lopeng Energy Limited in conjunction with Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) on impending flood in communities and rural areas in the nine states of the Niger Delta.

Delivering lecture on dangers of flood, the representative of NEMA, South-South Zone, Chidi Ogundu, said because of the devastating effects of flood on lives and property, there is need for different communities to maintain heathy environment by regularly clearing thier drainages, avoid indiscrimate dumping of refuse, avoid building houses on water channels and do  irrigation to channel water away from the area and others  to mitigate the effect of the floods in case it occurs.  He therefore called on the various communities  to take  proactive steps to mitigate the devastating effects of the flood in case it happens in their areas by maintaining healthy environment.

Ogundu maintained that  the objective of the sensitization programme is to create awareness  among the  people in various  communities on the need to take  proactive measures to mitigate  imminent flood.

His words: "I am here to give them(communities) lecture and create awareness and educate them on what flood is all about, its  causes, its negative effects and measure to take in mitigating flood.."

According to him, NEMA and its sisters agencies would,  on their  part,  have  put modality in place to ensure that  people that would be affected would be taken  to higher ground within the area adding, such ones would be provided enough food, medication and security in order for them not to be affected. 

His words:" By the grace of God, NEMA and sisters agencies have identified some areas people that may be affected by the flood and the people would  be evacuated  to higher ground and  be provided with enough food, medical care and security. We are  already working with security agencies to ensure that those affected are taken care of.  The agencies would also  ensure that there is road or access to the place the likely displaced persons would be kept"

According to him,  the Federal Government has mandated the state NEMA at the zonal offices  to begin to identify higher and safer places  where people who are likely to be affected by flood would taken to. He said, the people in Maidiguri were affected by flood due to the Dam which overflowed as the water descends  into River Niger and cause more harm if proactive measures were not taken.

He  charged all communities in Nigeria especially in the nine Niger Delta States to tell one another to avoid this impending flood adding  that, only challenge organization has is that, many people in the seminar  may  not be able to pass the message to the communities for them to respond appropriately.

On his part, a resource person from NIMET, Elujah Abraham said,.climate change affects the earth saying when the sun heats the earth surface, the water goes up to form cloud which later falls as rain which causes the sea levels to rise will result to flood.
The Director, Community and Rural development, NDDC, Mrs Chinyere Umeh charged all participants to pass the message  for the day to all communities if possible for them to be aware of what happened.
The highlight of the ceremony was question  and answer sessions