Flood Risk: Gombe NEMA Wants Environmental Sanitation Restricted

Kalshingi H Jedidah

Following the earlier warning issued by the Nigerian Metro-logical Agency (NIMET) on the high risk of possible flood disasters in some states of the country, the National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA) Gombe operations office has urged government to step up measures by restricting environmental sanitation, and allocation of lands to prevent blocking of waterways and drainages.

This was stated in a communiqué issued by the NEMA office today in Gombe at the end of a one day workshop organised for stakeholders in the state by the agency which was said to be aimed at improving awareness on flood risks and mitigation.

According to the communiqué, government as a major stakeholder in ensuring safety of lives and properties must step up measures that would go a long way in preventing flood disaster.

While presenting his key note address, the NEMA Head of Operations Saidu Ahmed Minin stated that, it is pertinent on the NEMA as a coordinating agency in disaster management to take up the responsibility of identifying preventive measures against the possible disaster.

Against this backdrop he said, the agency had identified some key activities and programmes with a view to prevent and mitigate flood disaster in the state.

He expressed that the workshop was organised to bring together stakeholders to address issues regarding waste management, control and implication, with a view to strengthen flood risk awareness among vulnerable communities as predicted by the NIMET.