NEMA to check annual flooding

OBIORA IFOH, Abuja

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced a move to prevent the continued reoccurrence of flood in the country through early preparedness, mitigation and flood prevention mechanism.

The Director General of NEMA Engr. Mustapha Maihaja stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at an interactive session with the stakeholders to map out a plan of action ahead of the rain season.

Engr. Maihaja said “in the need to address future flood in the country, the agency in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Environment made a joint presentation to the National Economic Council on the 19th of July last year, the council noted and considered the need to set in motion plans and procedures to prevent or mitigate future floods”.

He said “consequently, the council agreed that a Federal coordinating unit be set up to identify locations for critical actions as immediate do-able measures executable within a short period of time. He said on identified project, the cost is to be shared thus; Federal Government -30%, State Government -30% and Presidential committee of Flood Relief and Rehabilitation – 40%, as well as supervising the project jointly.”

He explained “annually, devastating floods of remarkable magnitude result in property damage and loss of lives”. As about 20% of the population are at risk from one flooding or another.

Engr. Maihaja noted that some of the factors responsible for annual flooding includes; siltation of stream, human manipulation of existing drainage barrier, underdevelopment drainages, excessive rainfall, tree felling, urban planning problems and weakening dams.

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