NEMA calls for proactive measures to prevent flooding in Kaduna State

The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, has called for urgent measures to prevent flooding in Kaduna State.

The NEMA DG Who said she was in Kaduna State for an advocacy visit on the 2024 predicted flood, disclosed that Kaduna State is known to be one of the major food producers in the country with the citizens largely engaged in farming activities.

She however said the annual occurrences of floods have continued to threaten this potential.

She therefore said action must be taken now given the just released 2024 seasonal climate prediction and the annual flood outlook.

According to her after the 2018 devastating flood, a similar one occurred in 2022 leading to a declaration of disaster emergency in many states.

“Though climate change has been largely blamed for this increasing phenomenon, it is our responsibility as government and people to evolve strategies to minimize losses through adherence to warning alerts, early preparation, and proper
response.

“2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction and the Annual Flood Outlook. These documents have forecasted flood situations for different parts of the country.

“The prediction informed that in the April, May, and June period, 25 States and 72 Local Government Areas (LGAs) are within flood high-risk areas, indicating heightened vulnerability to flooding.

“This vulnerability is said to persist into subsequent months of July to September with 33 States and 135 LGAs identified as high-risk areas, while the period between October and November has 19 States and 44 LGAs.

“Therefore, it is imperative to activate all plans and measures against the prediction as the season moves towards the peak.

“This year, the highly probable flood risk areas in Kaduna State are Kajuru, Kachia, Kubau, Igabi, and Chikun Local Government Areas.

“Given the foregoing, I wish to request the State Government to kindly take proactive and necessary mitigative measures in addressing these issues, namely:

“Directing the State Emergency Management Agency, frontline Local Government Authorities, and other response Agencies to put in place preparedness actions;

” Carrying out public enlightenment campaigns, targeting vulnerable communities to undertake mitigation actions and prepare for evacuation to safe ground;

” Identifying high grounds for possible Internally Displaced Persons camps, to shelter evacuated communities;
” Desilting river channels and canals;

“Removing all refuse and weeds from water channels, drainages, and all avenues for river run-offs to allow free flow of flood waters;

“Organizing State Humanitarian Coordination Forum meeting to prepare all stakeholders for mitigation and response.

“Prepositioning relief materials for prompt response after the flood.”

She called for more[contact-form][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Website” type=”url” /][contact-field label=”Message” type=”textarea” /][/contact-form]

collaboration among stakeholders in sensitizing Nigerians to take proactive measures against flooding.