By: Isedowo Oluwatosin Temijuayolo
Following the flood prediction for this year, the Federal Government disclosed placing response agencies on red alert in flood-prone areas of Ekiti State to avert disasters.
The response agencies include the federal and state Fire Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), among others.
The response agencies warn residents of the state to avoid dumping refuse and erecting buildings on water channels as part of the preventive measures against flooding.
On the 21st of August, 2021, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Habib Mustapha Ahmed, stated at a stakeholders’ meeting ,an awareness campaign on flood preparedness, response, and mitigation in order to avert the flood issue
According to Ahmed, who was represented by the Head of Operation in Ekiti State, Mr. Olusegun Afolayan, the meeting became imperative because of the consequences of the flooding, which would impact negatively on people in the various communities.
“All hands must be put on deck to mitigate the occurrence of flood disasters that may likely occur between September and October 2021.”
He appealed to the local councils to sensitise people in their domains against dumping refuse in water channels and to help clear drainages so as to allow free flow of water, especially in the flood-prone areas.