As part of the federal and state government efforts to safeguard the citizens from flooding and other environmental challenges that have negative impacts on the people, land and animals, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in conjunction with Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (EBSEMA) has organized a day sensitization exercise in Abakaliki Local Government Council.
Speaking at the event, the Zonal Coordinator, NEMA, Mrs Ngozi Echeazu, the Executive Secretary, Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency, (EBSEMA), Mr Clement Ovuoba, the Guest Speaker, Mr Chibueze Okoye and other resource persons, discussed extensively on the causes, effects, mitigations and adaptation measures of environmental disasters as a result of seasonal climate change.
It was disclosed that indiscriminate dumping of refuse, lack of proper drainage, improper waste management, building of structures on waterways and other illegal practices contribute to flooding and other environmental degradation that pose a threat to the security of lives and properties in the society.
According to the resource persons, 27 states in Nigeria have been affected by the flood with negative effects on humans, farmlands, wildlife and properties, stressing that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), had earlier predicted that some local government areas in Nigeria including Ikwo, Abakaliki, Izzi and Afikpo L.G.A stand the chance of risking flood, hence the need for the people to take precautionary measures ahead of the predicted impending disasters.
They, however, advocated for environmental cleanliness, proper waste management, construction of culverts and drainages, stopping building structures on waterways, and beckoning local government areas to establish local disaster management committees to help mitigate the effects of the global phenomenon.
Also speaking, the Honourable Commissioner for Human Capital Development, Hon. Mrs Ann Aligwe, who thanked the people of Abakaliki Local Government for coming out in their numbers to participate in the sensitization exercise, also reiterated the state government's readiness to do anything capable of preventing the residents of the state from environmental disasters and advised those living in riverine areas to always borrow a leaf from those who have cultivated the culture of relocating from coastal areas to uplands or safer places, to avoid the risk of been submerged in the events of flooding.
She further encouraged people living in thatched houses to stop cooking inside their houses, while those making use of electrical appliances should always switch off their power sources before sleeping or leaving their houses to prevent fire outbreaks.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Council, Hon. Stephen Ebere Nwogba thanked the August visitors for coming to improve the knowledge level of his people on flooding and other environmental-related issues, adding that the people of Abakaliki L.G.A would make judicious-use-of what they learnt in the sensitization exercise, even as he appealed to the NEMA and SEMA to come to the aide of the poor farmers and flood victims whose crops and properties were in recent time damaged by the flood.
The exercise was attended by the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki L.G.A, Hon. Stephen Ebere Nwogba, the Leader of Abakaliki Legislative Council, Hon. Nicodemus Umanyi, the Deputy Leader, Hon. Emeka Ikegwu and other Ward Councillors, all the traditional rulers of Abakaliki L.G.A, community youth leaders, village heads and other participants from different communities of Abakaliki L.G.A, who were privileged to make their meaningful contributions and as well ask relevant questions concerning the subject matter.
