By Ahmed Ahmed
The Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, has called on the Bauchi State Government to take early mitigation action against the predicted 2024 flood disaster in the State.
Zubaida Umar made the call at the sensitisation programme for the 2024 down-scaling of flood early warning strategies for early actions on Monday in Bauchi.
She said it is imperative to downscale and sensitize on the 2024 flood early warning strategies for effective early actions to save lives and livelihoods during the rainy season.
She noted that Bauchi has in the past been severely impacted by flood for the rainy season.Some local government areas of the State are still predicted to be affected by flooding.
“These LGAs which are under high and moderate flood risk areas include Toro, Itas Gadau, Bauchi , Jama’are,Shira ,Zaki Ganjuwa ,Warji and Katagum,” She Said.
The DG, represented by Mr Garba Mohammed, Director Internal Audit of the Agency said the Agency’s mandate includes coordinating emergency preparedness, mitigation, and response activities across Nigeria.
“The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had predicted flood high-risk areas in several states and local government areas (LGAs) from April to November.
“As you may be aware, the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have both released the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) respectively for 2024,” She said.
She also called on stakeholders to work together to safeguard communities at risk, protect critical infrastructures, and support what she termed uninterrupted socio-economic activities in the country, from flooding.
She also recommended community sensitisation, clearing of waterways, monitoring of dam discharge, and relocation of flood-prone communities.
Umar stressed the need for regular coordination meetings among emergency sectors to effectively respond to adverse climate-related situations.
The DG however reiterated the Agency’s’ commitment to reducing the impact of predicted flooding and providing necessary support to affected persons.
Earlier, Mr Mashud Aliyu, Director General
(DG) Bauchi State Emergency Agency SEMA, explained that the State government had already started the flood awareness campaign by meeting with stakeholders in the emergency sector.
He urged the stakeholders to actively participate in the sensitisation programmes, and support the initiative from the grassroots, to mitigate the flood disaster in the State.
The DG appreciated the NEMA for downscaling of flood early warning strategies and calling for proactive measures to curb the menace.