By Desmond Ejibas
Port Harcourt – The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned residents of Rivers about impending flash floods affecting 13 Local Government Areas (LGA) in the state.
The South-South Zonal Coordinator, Babatunde Adebiyi, raised the alarm in Port Harcourt on Thursday at a public awareness campaign on proper waste management and flood preparedness.
Adebiyi listed the high-risk areas as: Abua/Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Akuku Toru, Degema, Emuoha, Ikwerre, Obio Apkor, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Oyigbo, and Tai Local Government Areas.
He said that it was expedient for residents of the state to prepare for eventual flooding between now and November.
“We are here to sensitise people of Ozuoba and surrounding communities in the Akpor area about the impending floods and encourage proactive measures to lessen their impact.
“We are doing this so that the people will be on alert and take decisions that would reduce the impact of the flooding in their communities,” he said.
Adebiyi stated that proper waste disposal was crucial to flood mitigation and control, saying,’ “removing solid wastes from water channels will facilitate easier flow during rainy season.
“Removing solid waste from water channels will facilitate better flow during floods, reducing disaster impact.
“The activities people take before the flood will determine the impact on their homes and livelihoods.
“It is also important to identify higher ground that the people can move to when the flood comes,” he advised.
The zonal coordinator noted that two Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps have been established to accommodate flood victims in the area.
He said aside the sensitisation efforts that NEMA was implementing additional strategies in preparation for the floods.
In her speech, AC Bassey Okama, the Head of Disaster Management, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), advised residents to act swiftly to minimise the danger and risks associated with flooding.
She urged them to unplug electrical appliances to prevent electrocution.
“It is important to switch off the electricity to your homes as floods begin to avoid electrocution,” she cautioned.
Sheriff Obasi, the Head of Operations, Federal Fire Service office in Rivers, said that the service was prepared to contain any fire outbreak during the period.
He advised the immediate removal of combustible materials from homes to prevent fire disasters.
Mr Chijioke Ihunwo, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, commended NEMA for its awareness campaign across the state.
He expressed the council’s commitment to support NEMA in its efforts to implement measures towards reducing he impact of the impending flood. (NAN)
Cross section of officials and participants during a during a public awareness campaign on waste management and flood preparedness organised by the National Emergency Management Agency in Port Harcourt on Thursday
