Niger Govt , stakeholders brainstorm on measures to mitigate impacts of flooding
Sakeholders in disaster response and management have met to take proactive action to mitigate impact of flooding on communities in Niger state.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Yakubu Garba, said this during a stakeholders meeting on mitigation of 2024 flood, that the state government was determined to reduce impacts of disasters to barest minimum.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was organised by Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) in collaboration with National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Yakubu, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Malam Bello Ibrahim, said the predicted floods pose a significant threat to many communities, infrastructure and livelihoods in the state.
“It calls for concerted efforts for us in Niger State as disasters especially floods have been increasing in frequency and severity with serious consequences on lives and livelihoods.
“Gov. Umar Bago in his uncommon zeal to transform the state is determined to reduce the impacts of disasters to the barest minimum through giant developmental strides,” he said.
He added that the 2024 prediction was a wake up for stakeholders to play their roles in ensuring the safety and well being of all citizens.
In his welcome address, Allahji Abdullahi Arah, Director General of NSEMA, said the meeting was for stakeholders in disaster management to brainstorm and adequately prepare against 2024 rainfall.
He said the devastating experience in recent years in the state by communities from floods and other disasters was a clarion call for people to prepared to prevent dangers that comes with the raining season.
In her remarks, Hajiya Zainab Sai’du, Head, NEMA, Minna Operations Office, said the 2024 seasonal climate prediction and the annual flood outlook prediction revealed that twelve local government areas in Niger state were at risk.
She mentioned the council areas to include; Agwara, Bida, Magama, Munya, Agaie, Shiroro, Bosso, Kontagora, Gurara, Chanchaga, Rafi and Lavun.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook predicated that from April to June, 25 states and 77 local government areas were within high risk in the country.
The NiMET prediction indicated vulnerability to flooding predicted to persist into subsequent months of July to Sept. with 33 states and 132 local governments identified as high risk areas.
