The Nasarawa State Government said it has launched an awareness campaign to sensitise residents in flood-prone communities on the importance of clearing waterways to prevent flooding ahead of the rainy season.

Barr. Isaac Danladi, Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, announced this on Saturday in Lafia while addressing journalists after the March sanitation exercise.

The commissioner said that the steps became imperative because of the prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) as well as the bad experiences of the past where lives and property were lost to flooding.Peter Obi decries mob killing in Edo, calls for justice

“We have put machinery on the ground to ensure that drains, and structures blocking waterways are cleared to allow free flow of water,” he said.

“We have engaged the traditional and religious leaders, communities leaders, and we are sponsoring sensitization programs in the mass media to enlighten the public on dangers of flooding and steps to avert it.”

On the March sanitation exercise, the commissioner expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance by the residents of the state and appealed for more corporation.

The commissioner, who is presided over the first sanitation exercise after his appointment and posting to the ministry, encouraged residents to embed the habit of cleaning their environments daily.

He called on members of the public to always keep their environments clean to guard against the possible outbreaks of all diseases.

“If the environment is kept clean, it will guard against a possible outbreak of any disease, thereby ensuring improved healthy living of the people,” he added.

He promised that the ministry under him would make the state one of the cleanest in the country, in line with his mandate.

Danladi commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for putting all machineries in place in the state and rye support of traditional rulers, the media as well as other partners for their roles in ensuring a successful sanitation exercise.