As part of the efforts to mitigate the impact of the flood on lives and properties, the Minna operations office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sensitised Niger State stakeholders on waste management and flood preparedness.
The Director General of the agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, made the disclosure at one-day stakeholders workshop with the theme ‘Sustainable Waste Management and Flood Preparedness’.
Umar, represented by the Head, NEMA Minna Operations Office, Hajiya Zainab Sai’du, said the workshop was organised to sensitise stakeholders on the annual seasonal floor prediction by Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMET).
“NiMET prediction shows some local governments in Niger are within the high risk areas, only proper waste management can reduce impact of floods.
“People need to know how to dispose waste properly to avoid blockage of drainages during heavy downpour,” she said.
Sai’du, thereby, called on government agencies responsible for enforcing laws against indiscriminate dumping of refuse to reactive their activities to ensure people keep their environment clean.
She explained that with the increasing frequency and severity of floods due to climate change, proactive measures such as early warning system and community engagement were essentials.
She explained further that the workshop was to share ideas and experiences and come up with strategies using the latest waste management technologies and best practices for flood risk reduction.
She however urged stakeholders to engage actively by sharing valuable perspectives to develop integrated strategies for sustainable waste management and flood preparedness.
Earlier, the Niger State Commissioner, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman Baba-Yimu, said waste management and flood preparedness was a collective responsibility.
“Waste management and flood preparedness is not a one man’s business and should not left to NEMA alone, it is everyone’s business,” he said.
Also, District Head of Maikunkele, in Bosso LGA of the State, Alhaji Suleiman Dada, promise to take the sensitisation various village and community heads on the need to caution their people against indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
Meanwhile, the workshop was attended by officials of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) NESEREA, fire service, students amongst others.
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