By; ISAAC ODEH, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) has urged residents of flood-prone communities in the state not to indulge in activities that can promote flooding.
The Executive Secretary, Muhammed Mukaddas made the call during a sensitisation tour of some flood-prone areas in Kaduna on Thursday.
Represented by Yau mahmood, Director Disaster and Relief, Mukaddas said the agency was committed towards tackling flooding in the state.
”This exercise is the agency’s way of giving early warnings to residents of flood-prone areas in the state,” he said.
He said that the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) listed Kaduna as one of the states to witness flooding in 2022.
Mukaddas said that residents of flood-prone areas should avoid blocking of water channels in the interest of their safety.
”It is wrong and environmentally unfriendly to build or dump wastes on water channels. We must have to do the right thing,” he said.
The KADSEMA official said that the attitude of residents towards the environment was crucial to its sustenance and continued existence.
He said that arrangements were being made to enable residents of communities located along the river banks to move into designated holding centres.
”All we are doing is to take the right steps by preparing ahead of time for any eventuality,” he said.
Earlier, Joseph Bala, the District Head, Romi community, commended the agency for its proactive steps towards effective flood control in the state.
”This sensitisation exercise is well thought-out. We shall be vigilant to the early warning signals in the interest of our safety,” he said.
Also speaking, Mohammed Yahaya, the Controller-General, Safety Awareness and Environmental support Initiative (SAESI) called for stakeholders’ collaboration to clear blocked drains in the state.
