Flood: NEMA Sensitises Calabar Residents On Waste Management
By Ekanem ASUQUO
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) sensitised residents of Calabar on proper waste management and flood emergency preparedness and response.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensitisation programme was carried out in markets and some major streets in the capital city of Cross River by staff of NEMA and other stakeholders.
The rally led by Mrs Aisueni Mmandu, Ag. Head of Operations in charge of Cross River and Akwa Ibom, warned the residents against indiscriminate dumping of waste.
The rally saw the participants armed with placards with inscriptions such as: "Let's stop throwing waste in drainage," "We must ensure that our drainagesbare desilted," "let stop erecting structure on water channels," among others.
Mmandu noted that 14 out of the 18 local government areas of Cross River are rated high risk prone areas to flooding this raining season by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
She said that with proper waste management and early preparedness, the impact of this flooding can be mitigated.
She noted that proper waste management is not merely an environmental concern, but also corner stone of public health, urban planning and sustainable development.
According to her, "when waste is managed effectively, we reduce pollution, conserve natural resources, and create a cleaner, healthier environment for all.
"Equally important is our awareness and preparedness for floods. Flood have become more frequent and severe due to climate change, posing significant risks to lives and properties.
"Sensitising our communities about flood risks and preparedness can save lives and reduce the devastating impact of these natural disasters."
Similarly, Director General (DG) of the agency, Mrs Zubaida Umar pointed out that in the past, lives and means of livelihood and infrastructure amounting to billions of naira destroyed were lost due to unmitigated incidences of floods.
The NEMA boss spoke in her address on "Downscaling of Flood Early Warning Strategies for Early Actions in Cross River."
Represented by Mr Afolayan Olusegun, assistant director, Planning, Research and Forcasting, the DG noted that the predictions by Nimet abs other have provided valuable warning alerts.
"Consequently, all of us are expected to take actions that will drastically reduce the adverse impacts of floods on the entire landscape and the Nigerian population, especially for the most vulnerable persons living in communities identified to be high risk of flooding.
She listed the local government listed as high risk prone to flooding to include Calabar South, Calabar Municipality and 12 others in Cross River.
In his address, the DG of Cross River Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Apostle James Anam, called for collaborate efforts between the state, federal government and other stakeholders to mitigate the impact of the impending flood.
He commanded NEMA for its proactive approach to flood and disaster management in the country.
