Impending flood: NEMA to write govs, states, religious bodies, open camps

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Impending flood: NEMA to write govs, states, religious bodies, open camps

The National Emergency Management Agency is planning to write state governors to remind them of the likelihood of serious flooding this year so that they can speed up the provision of mitigating factors.

Already, some of the affected states have taken some measures to ensure no loss of lives and minimal damage to property.

Sunday PUNCH learnt that some states had opened refugee camps for victims of flood and those likely to be displaced, while advising residents of flood prone areas to relocate to higher grounds.

For instance, Ogun State disclosed that it had secured the commitment of some religious institutions to use their campgrounds and hostels as temporary accommodation for flood victims.

On its part, NEMA noted that the best way to prevent disaster and loss of lives and property was for the states to prepare ahead and do whatever was necessary to reduce the impact of flood.

The agency had predicted that the severity of the rainy season and other weather conditions were likely to cause disruptions in the country, citing destruction of roads, bridges, other key infrastructure and eventual effects of on the atmospheric conditions that could induce pathogens and disease vectors to cause malaria, cholera, heat stress, heat cramps exhaustion, heatstroke and hyperthermia, and other conditions in many communities.

Citing the possibility of the severe flooding washing away farms and causing destruction of livestock in the land, it added that airplanes might skid off runways due to heavy rainfall and flooding, resulting in major catastrophe.

The Director-General, NEMA, Habib Ahmed, had during the public presentation of the 2023 Climate-Related and Mitigation Strategies, stated that 314 out of the 774 local government areas in the country should brace for the risk of flooding, which was predicted to extend from April to November.

It added that a total of 66 local government areas were prone to high flood risk in the months of April to June, noting that such would also happen across 148 local government areas in July to September and 100 local government areas in the months of October and November.

A total of 412 local government areas were listed as falling within moderate flood risk areas between April and June, 199 from July to September, and 72 in the months of October and November.

As some states have started experiencing downpour, the Head of Media and Publicity, NEMA, Ezekiel Manzo, told one of our correspondents that arrangements were being made by the agency to reach out to the state governments for them to have a deep understanding of the impending problem and the possible solutions.

He said reminder letters about the forecast would soon be forwarded to all the 36 state governors with the aim of rekindling awareness on the foreseen problem.

Manzo said, “NEMA is making an arrangement to refresh the minds of the state governments, especially now that there are new governors, so that they will have a deeper understanding of the problem on the ground and key into it. The bottom line is that NEMA is beginning the preparation to rekindle the awareness that has been raised on the problem.

“NEMA is working with the state governments; avenues of contact with them have been established. The letter being written is not the challenge, but you know some of these governors have just assumed office. If we had written to them at the time of the handing over, the letters might not be delivered; so, we are also being strategic to allow them to take over and our letters will follow. We have a strategic plan and that is why we know that the letters will make a lot of things and we thank God that the rain is just coming after a period of time now, so we are still on board and we are on the right course.

“NEMA has obtained approval from the President to carry out a special intervention for the people that are affected by flood and this intervention will involve a reasonable sum of money. Our officers are already out there throughout the states validating the names of people who were affected and this will be followed by the distribution of livelihood support, including farm input to improve economic support, help the people to recover and at least to restart after the flood. Looking at the total costs in terms of the financial value, I don’t have that offhand.”

Ogun

The Ogun State Government said it took the flood alerts seriously because of previous experience and had secured the campgrounds and hostels of some mega churches like the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Deeper Christian Life Ministry, and Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, among others, to serve as temporary accommodation for those driven away from their places of abode by flood.

The immediate past Commissioner for Environment, Mr Oladimeji Oresanya, told Sunday PUNCH that before the cabinet was dissolved by Governor Dapo Abiodun at the tail end of his first term, discussions had been held with the religious institutions, which generously released their facilities for the purpose of accommodating residents internally displaced by flood.

He said, “What happened earlier with regards to flood in different parts of the state was flash flood, which disappears in hours. But a bigger problem lies ahead, especially around September and October. We are likely to experience coastal flooding due to high tidal waves from the ocean. What this means is that the ocean will not be able to accommodate the high volume of water coming in and the excess will find its way into communities in flood plains.

“The Ogun State Government has done a lot of sensitisation of the residents of the flood-prone areas and deployed swamp buggy equipment to clear water paths to allow free flow of stormwater.

“We also have an arrangement with churches like the RCCG, MFM and Deeper Life, among others, to make available their camp grounds and hostels to accommodate those we asked to leave flood prone areas and those already affected by flooding. Such people will be accommodated for a maximum of two months.

“We are doing this through the CDAs (community development associations) so that we can properly identify residents of those communities affected by flood in order to prevent abuse and misuse of those facilities. The state government, through the SEMA (State Emergency Management Agency), will be responsible for their welfare in those camps for the period.”

Oresanya added that the ultimate goal would be to relocate residents of flood-prone areas permanently and that some of them had valid building approvals issued by the government in error, adding that it was the duty of the government to preserve the lives of every resident.

He said the government was providing infrastructure like drainage channels in a lot of the flood-prone communities to provide some relief, but noted that better facilities would be provided under the urban upgrade programme, which might take some time.

Lagos

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Olalekan Shodeinde, said the state government would ensure that drains across the state were functional in order to prevent flooding.

He added that the state government had no plan to relocate residents of flood-prone areas.

Shodeinde said, “We are fully prepared for the flood predictions and our channels are ready to take the water flow and ensure that Lagos State is free of flood. We are doing everything possible to ensure that the state does not witness any incident of flooding. Within the timeframe, the water from rainfall will flow out because the drains are being kept clean and free.

“The government has no plan to relocate residents of flood-prone areas. That is why we regularly give them early warning signs and arrangements about when a flood is likely to happen. There is a notice that we post from time to time that people should please make alternative arrangements to protect themselves and their property.”

Gombe

The Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, SEMA, Mohammed Garba, said following the warnings received from relevant agencies, it embarked on sensitisation visits to Balanga, Nafada and Yalmatu Deba local government areas of the state.

Garba made the disclosure in an interview with one of our correspondents, adding that traditional and religious institutions were involved to ensure that the warnings were taken seriously.

He said, “After receiving the alert, the state governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, directed that we commence sensitisation, particularly in three local government areas namely; Balanga, Nafada and Yalmatu Deba. On the day we went to Nafada the (caretaker) chairman assured us that by the following day, they would mobilise and clear all the drainages.

“The same is applicable to the others as they assured us that they would remove illegal structures along waterways. When we sent people to check, we heard that they had kept their word. Right now, we are planning to have another sensitisation session on the state-owned radio station; we are putting finishing touches to our plan.”

On the fate of residents of flood prone areas, Garba said the government was in the stage of pleading, stressing that acceptance was high.

He stated, “Of course yes, particularly in Funakaye there is one area where people have built houses on the waterway as you enter Bajoga; it is known as Sharamansur. The governor has directed the local government to look for suitable land so that the people can move pending the time when they will be able to build houses in the new places.

“For now, people are waiting for the local government council to show them where they will move to.

“We are still pleading, we are using traditional rulers, ward heads, village and district heads; we have not reached the stage for punitive measures.”

Katsina

There were no indications as of Friday that Katsina State had put in place concrete arrangements to forestall flooding in the state this year or to check residents from occupying flood plains.

It was, however, observed that the state government was currently embarking on the sensitisation of residents to flooding through the local radio station.

Some drainage channels in the state capital, Katsina, and in some other local government areas headquarters are also being cleared.

Findings showed that the new administration in the state relies on strategies put in place by the immediate past government of Aminu Masari to tackle flooding.

The efforts include the maintenance of storm water drainage systems to check flooding and erosion in some local government areas like Katsina, Jibia, Malumfashi, Funtua, Charanchi and Dutsin-Ma.

It was learnt that because of the recent change of baton in the state, proper structures had not been put in place in the various ministries and departments.

For instance, the former helmsman at the State Emergency Management Agency, Lawan Sani, is now a council chairman.

SEMA officials contacted for information declined comments on the matter.

Flooding claimed no fewer than 24 persons in the state in 2022, while property, including farmlands, estimated at several millions of naira, perished in the flooding.

Ondo

The Ondo State Government said it had embarked on mechanical channelisation to prevent flooding at the commencement of the rainy season.

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Sunday Akinwalere, gave an assurance that the state would not experience any incidence of flood this year.

He also noted that the state would soon begin the demolition of buildings along waterways.

Akinwalere said, “We have sent our officers to each of the local governments and we asked people to report to them at the local government headquarters where there are flooded places whenever there is rainfall, so that we can register them. As of now, we are repairing all our excavators and other anti-flood equipment so that we can put them to maximal use.

“For all those who built houses along flood-prone areas, we are working with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development on what to do on their matter. Their case is even worse because they are oftentimes the cause of flood because they block the waterways. Because of the current situation of things, we can’t start to demolish their houses, rather we are planning a mechanical channelisation with the little space available to prevent flood in the areas.

“But later we are going to take the decision (to demolish), because whether we like it or not, we are still going to demolish the structures that are blocking the waterways. We also plan to construct concrete embankments but because of paucity of funds, we can’t do that now. The best we can do now is mechanical channelisation.”

Osun

To prevent flooding, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has directed the Ministry of Environment, Works and other relevant agencies to speed up work on all ongoing channelisation projects.

According to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, shortly after flooding was experienced in some parts of Osogbo, Adeleke also directed the implementation of the flood prevention agenda of the state government.

“Part of the programme includes the clearing of blocked drainages and waterways, removal of structures blocking river lines, sensitisation against refuse dumping in waterways and continuation of channelisation programmes of the administration,” the statement read in part.

Kwara

The Kwara State Government in March rolled out programmes to prevent flooding following the listing of the state as one of those prone to flooding, Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said.

Ajakaye said the government had been clearing and expanding drainages and waterways to allow easy passage of water.

The CPS said, “The government had since March rolled out various engagement and enlightenment programmes, including audiovisuals on radio, TV and across different new media platforms so that citizens are properly guided.

“Besides, the government has since started the clearing of drainages. There is ongoing de-silting of drainages and the dredging of large water channels in the state, including the state capital.”

Ajakaye said the government would continue to persuade residents of flood-prone areas to move to higher grounds.

“Of course, we cannot get tired of engaging with residents of flood-prone areas and those living along the banks of River Niger about the danger of staying put,” he stated.

Edo

The Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Project, Crusoe Osagie, said plans were in place to ensure that flood would not have a devastating effect on Edo State like in previous years.

He said drainages in Benin metropolis and other areas were being de-silted to ensure that flood water would not pour on the roads.

Osagie said, “Flooding is an annual occurrence in some parts of Edo State, especially in Ilushi, parts of Edo Central and Edo North. There is already an arrangement by the state emergency agency to annually move out people from places that are prone to flooding during the peak period of the rainy season and shelter them in facilities in dry places within their areas.

“Arrangements are also on to give them supplies of materials that will act as palliatives. So, when the flood recedes, the people will go back to their homes. It is an annual arrangement, but because of the announcement by NIMET and other bodies, we may be looking at a more elaborate scale in tackling the problem this year.

“For the other parts of the state, the government has embarked on de-silting of drainages and removing barriers on waterways so that once it rains, water can find channels to flow and the roads will be free as quickly as possible.”

The Delta State Government has issued flood alerts to people living in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher and safer grounds.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori also directed the state Ministry of Environment and local government councils to open up drainages, water channels and canals to ensure free flow of water, according to his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon.

Ahon said the Ministry of Information and the Directorate of Orientation had been directed to carry out sensitisation of residents of flood-prone parts of the state against the flood prediction and this would be followed up with radio and television jingles as well as the use of local communication means to drive down the message.

The CPS said, “We have advised residents of communities, especially those living close to canals and drainages, to desist from dumping refuse inside canals. Dropping of refuse into canal and drainages could hinder free flow of water and further aggravate flooding.

“The state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has also directed the state Ministry of Environment and the local government councils to open up drainages, water channels and canals to ensure free flow of water to discharge points when it comes.

“The government can only sensitise and appeal to people living in such flood-prone areas to relocate. The government cannot force them out. However, the government still provides rescue operations to those trapped by the flood, but it is always better if they relocate before it becomes too late.”

Ekiti

In Ekiti State, the Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration has awarded contracts for the dredging of waterways to avoid flooding.

The General Manager, Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Jide Borode, said the state government was also stepping up enlightenment campaigns to dissuade residents from dumping refuse in drainages and setting up an inter-agency committee on intervention.

Borode said, “Right now, the state government has awarded contracts for dredging through the State Environmental Protection Agency and there is an ad hoc committee headed by the Head of Service to see to the intervention on NIMET predictions.

“The committee has the SEPA GM as secretary, while other members include the state Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, SEMA and some other agencies.

“We are also stepping up enlightenment campaigns for the people to stop dumping refuse in drains. We are also hammering it on the people to stop building on flood routes; we are advising them not to buy plots of land for their houses during the dry season in order to know areas that are dry and good.”

Abia

The Abia State Government said it was ahead of NEMA, NiMET and the NHSA prediction and warning about flood.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko, the state government has already started cleaning drainages and dump sites in Aba and Umuahia with concrete steps to ensure that residents would not dump refuse in the drainages and block canals.

“Aides have just been appointed and have yet to resume, but the present administration in the state has taken concrete steps to forestall any flooding in the state,” he said.

Uko, who appreciated the flood predictions, said concrete steps were also being taken in preparation for the impending flood, including the creation of awareness through sensitisation of residents.

The CPS said he was not anticipating that people who live on flood plains would be reluctant to heed instructions as such was for their own good.

Borno

The committee set up by the Borno State Government to tackle the issue of flooding is reviewing efforts at avoiding, controlling and managing the flood across the state.

The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Environment, Habib Abadam, said the committee was working hard to prevent the state from being taken unawares.

He, however, did not provide details.

Last year’s rainy season severely affected theLake Chad shore communities in the Abadam Local Government Area with residents seeking refuge in nearby Diffa in the neighbouring Niger Republic as flood washed away many houses.

Kano

The Kano State Government has set up a joint task force committee on refuse evacuation as part of measures to avoid blockage of waterways in the rainy season.

A statement by the Director of Public Enlightenment in the state Ministry of Environment, Ismail Gwammaja, said the task force would embark on massive evacuation of refuse to make Kano flood free.

“The present administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at its inception displayed its passion and commitment to safeguarding lives through the promotion of environmental sanitation,” he said.

Gwammaja advised the residents to complement the government’s efforts towards saving the environment from the hazards of climate change.

He also charged residents to imbibe the culture of de-silting drainage channels regularly to avoid flooding.