NEMA tasks Rivers govt’ on preparation for flood risk

…Predicts 15 LGAs will suffer flood risk in Rivers

The National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) has advised the Rivers State government to prepare for this year’s flooding.

South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA Godwin Tepikor gave the advice in an interview with the Guardian, yesterday,

He called on the government and residents to take advantage of the annual flood outlook to mitigate and avert losses of life and property through adequate coordination and flood early warning and sensitization campaigns.

Tepikor, who referred to the February 17 annual flood outlook for the year, by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency(NiMet) said fifteen local government areas of Rivers state will suffer high flood risk.

He said in Nimet forecast, Port Harcourt, Obio akpor, Orashi region, and the Ogoni areas will suffer flooding between April, May, and June.

According to him, in Rivers State, some LGAs have been predicted to experience moderate flood risk and these areas are Degema, Ogu/Bolo, Khana, Opobo/Nkoro, Akuku-Toru, Omuma, Etche, and Emohua.

While stressing that some others have been predicted to suffer from high flood risk and are
Ahoada East, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Andoni, Bonny, Tai, Asari-Toru, Eleme, Ahoada West, Abua/Odual, Port Harcourt, Obio/Apkor, Ikwerre, Gokana, Okrika and Oyigbo LGAs, these have been predicted to suffer from high flood risks for 2023.

He said: “From the prediction, some Council areas are expected to experience flooding from April, May, and June this year. As we go along this month, it is expected that there will be heavy rainfall which will herald flooding.

“I want to advise that government and residents should take advantage of the annual flood outlook to mitigate and avert losses of life and property through adequate coordination and flood early warning and sensitization campaigns.”

He also advised all relevant Frontline responders to intensify their preparedness efforts to carry out early warnings targeting vulnerable communities, urging government and residents to prepare for evacuation to higher grounds as he advised for desilting of drainages and water channels to enable free flow of water.

He said: “This is necessary because last year, the entire country and Rivers State suffered from heavy flooding. And it is important that now that the predictions have been put forward governments and individuals should take advantage of the prediction.

“We also advise that all relevant frontline responders are to intensify their preparedness efforts to carry out early warning sensitization targeting vulnerable communities and prepare for evacuation to safer higher grounds.

“Council areas that are closer to these vulnerable communities should begin to partner with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to identify high grounds that could be used as temporary shelters if the flood occurs.

“We also encourage the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to begin to organize emergency state coordination meetings

“Relevant governments MDAs are immediately advised to commerce cleaning of drainages to allow free flow water to enable the cities not to be flooded due to the heavy rainfall.”