NEMA warns 28 state Governors over flooding

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned 102 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 28 states in the country of high probable flood risk this year.

Director-General of NEMA, AVM Muhammadu Mohammed, raising the alert at a news conference on the agency’s plan for the ‘2020 Flood Preparedness, Mitigation and Response’, in Abuja, said that 275 LGAs in the 36 states of the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, are among the areas within the moderately probable flood risk areas.

According to AVM Mohammed, the remaining 397 LGAs, however, fall within the low probable flood risk areas, NAN reports.

He stated that the predictions were expected to have impacts on various sectors, including agriculture, water resources, health, transport and infrastructure.

Mohammed added that the agency has begun steps to mitigate any likely impacts of the flood by constituting a committee to lead the national preparedness, mitigation and response to 2020 flood.

He disclosed that letters have also been written to inform all state governors, including the LGAs along with suggested proactive mitigation measures that are expected to be taken.

Other measures includes public enlightenment campaign using the radio, TV Jingles, social media and so on to vulnerable communities to undertake mitigation actions and prepare for evacuation to safer ground.

He. however, advised Nigerians to ensure that they take all precautionary measures to avoid flooding and ensure that their drainages were well cleared at all times.