The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has put all the response agencies on red alert on the impending flooding that may occur across the country.
The Director General of the agency, Alhaji Habib Ahmed, said this on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti during the stakeholders meeting and awareness campaign on flood preparedness, response and mitigation.
According to Ahmed who was represented by the agency’s Head of Operation in Ekiti, Mr Olusegun Afolayan, the sensitization meeting became imperative due to the consequences of flooding that may impact negatively on the people in various communities.
“The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has predicted that climate change will lead to abnormal rainfall which will culminate to flood disasters in 28 states of the federation and many local governments will be affected.
”The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), the management of the dam predicted on 6th May 2021 in their annual flood outlook that 28 States and 121 Local governments will experience flood disaster,” he said.
He noted that the local governments, being the closest to the people that experience various forms of disasters, needed to be equipped adequately in terms of prevention, preparedness, response and mitigation measures.
“All hands must be put on deck to mitigate the occurrence of flood disaster that may likely occur between September to October, 2021,” he added.
The NEMA boss appealed to local governments to sensitize people in their domain not to dump refuse in water channels and to help clear drainages so as to allow free flow of water especially in flood-prone areas.
Ahmed therefore urged the people to listen to radio or television stations for early warning messages so as to avoid flood disaster, adding that should there be need for emergency, the government should provide ready shelter for people to stay temporarily.
He called on the organized private sector to be ready to partner with NEMA in the area of disaster management and management of the flood to prevent loss of lives and property during the unusual rainfall
The agency also advised all motorists, bicycle riders and pedestrians not to attempt entering any deluge until it subsides.
Ahmed however assured that in spite of the level of sensitization, the agency has stockpiled its warehouses with relief material for prompt intervention in case there is need for it.
Participants at the meeting were drawn from the Federal and State Fire Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State.