The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and relevant stakeholders in disaster management on Thursday brainstormed on plans to mitigate the flooding predicted for Ekiti and its environs by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET).
The Head of Operations, NEMA, Mr Kadiri Olarewaju, in charge of Ekiti, Ondo and Osun, stated this at the meeting with critical stakeholders in disaster risk management organised by the National Emergency Management Agency in Ado-Ekiti.
The event, which was tagged: ”Duties, Functions and Responsibilities in Disasters Management”, was to improve community awareness and enhance stakeholder response.
Olarewaju said the forecast by NiMET and other agencies had predicted Ekiti to be among the states expected to experience flooding based on increased volume of rainfall.
He noted that most local government areas in Ekiti State were flood-prone with high risks due to sessional rainfall.
”Every one of us here has witnessed the recent floods in Nigeria, which claimed lives, displaced thousands of people as well as destroyed properties worth millions of naira.
”It caused widespread ecological dislocation, therefore, it has become necessary for communities, individuals and authorities to take proactive measures.
”We need to believe that prevention is better and cheaper than cure, as well as consider climate change issues more seriously,” he said.
He explained that unsustainable development practices, poorly managed urbanization, ecosystem degradation and poverty were the main drivers of vulnerability that threatens human life.
Olarewaju stressed that the integration of policy and practices for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction would genuinely assist rational decision-making and good use of resources.
According to him, the meeting was aimed at providing solutions, as well as devising best possible ways to save lives and property attributed to the predictions.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr Ayodele Adeyanju, assured NEMA of the government’s readiness and support in case of emergency and response.
He called for increased sensitisation and capacity building of persons in the flood impacted communities.
The General Manager State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Jide Borode described NEMA as an important partner that collaborates in handling disaster issues.
He said the partnership had facilitated the effectiveness of the people in risky communities and IDPs to adapt and live with the risk factors that come with flooding.
Stakeholders at the meeting included the Federal Fire Services, the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Red Cross, Federal Road Safety Corp, National Orientation Agency, National Environmental Standard and Regulatory Agency, Ministry of Health, and residents of the flood-prone communities.