National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with Kano State government (KNSG), are to strengthen partnership, to enhance effective disaster risk management, for sustainable socio-economic growth in the state.
The Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed -Habib made the indication, during a program tagged: Downscaling of disaster early warning measures to grassroots for effective life-saving, early actions during 2023 Rainy Season” held in Kano.
He explained that, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), have released their 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), with high probability of flooding across the country during the year.
Alhaji Mustapha said NEMA, drawing from its mandate of disaster risk management, decided to take the initiative, to downscale early warning alerts to states, local government authorities, and communities at risk of flood disaster and associated hazards.
He highlighted that, the initiative would enable them make appropriate plans that can save lives, livelihoods, critical national assets, and the natural eco system, which is the bedrock for sustainable development.
The DG pointed out that, in 2022, Nigeria experienced the most devastating flood disaster, where more than 4 million people were affected, over 2 million persons displaced, 665 death, 355,986 houses, and 944,989 hectares of farm lands were destroyed.
“we have decided to support sub-national level actors including States, Local Governments and communities to take ownership of their responsibility of disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery”
“We must therefore strive to support our Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) with adequate capacity building, funding and equipment to take disaster risk management to the communities to be able to build safe and resilient communities and by extension a safer and resilient Nigeria”.
In his remarks, Kano state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir-Yusuf, represented by Secretary to the state government, Dr. Baffa Bichi, maintained that, the state government is working round the clock, to ensure all illegal structures and drainages erected on water ways, are removed to allow free flow of water to prevent flooding.
While commending NEMA, for choosing Kano to launch the flag off of downscaling disaster at the grassroots level, he hinted that, the state’s population of over 25 million residents ,produce more than 4,000 tonnes of waste on daily basis.
“NiMet predicted 23 local governments across the state which include Ajingi, Dala, Dawakin Kudu, Gezawa, Kabo and Kumbutso among others are at risk of experiencing flood. which the state government flood response enagage in evacuation of refuse across the state to ensure Kano is clean”.
In his presentation Mr Daniel Etim-Obot, identified roles of NEMA, states and local governments, on 2023 climate related disaster preparedness, and mitigation strategies.
Radio Nigeria reports that, the event witnessed large turn out of representatives from the five emirate councils, commissioners, local government chairmen and imams, across the forty four local government areas.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
