Nigeria, August 16, 2015, (Blank NEWS Online) –
Following a recent federal government’s warning about the impending flood that will be witnessed across Nigeria, especially in coastal line states due to the gradual release of excess water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, Delta and Edo states have respectively issued flood alerts to its residents to be wary of another gloomy experience.
Residents of coastal line in Delta state have been called upon to start making plans on how to relocate to safer places to avoid being enveloped by the impending flood to be occasioned by the gradual release of excess water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
Delta state Deputy Governor Barrister Kingsley Burutu Otuaro made the call while reacting to the warning raised by the federal government about the impending flood that will be witnessed across the country especially in coastal line states like Delta.
The Deputy Governor who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on media, Mrs Doris Warri-Aboh, said relocation was apt to avoid recording high level of casualty when the flood sets in emphasizing that the state was able to evacuate people to internally displaced camps in 2012 because they yielded to the timely warning by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency NIMET.
He said Delta State Government was not ready to lose a single soul to the flood hence the need for people to be at alert especially residents of areas affected by the flood of 2012.
The deputy Governor expressed worry with the way some people erected structures on waterways and canals thereby blocking the water from flowing into its route pointing out that the outburst of flood may have severe consequences.
Barrister Otuaro advised owners of public and private buildings to embark on clearing of their surroundings and gutters as a deliberate effort to promote good health.
The deputy governor equally called on traditional rulers and opinion leaders to assist government in enlightening their people about the forthcoming flood and the need to keep their environment clean to avoid outbreak of diseases like malaria and cholera.
He said government was committed to the fight against environmental degradation and anything capable of exposing the state to environmental hazard.
The deputy Governor urged Deltans to work as a team in combating this year’s flood to avoid casualty in evacuation of people to camps for refuge.
In the same vein, Edo State Government has advised residents living in low lands, river banks and other flood-prone areas in the state to take proactive action and relocate to safer parts of the state to avoid being affected by flood which may arise following the opening of a dam in the Republic of Cameroon.
The Government in a statement signed by Austin Akhuamhenkhun, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Public Utilities on behalf of the Commissioner, said “the Federal Ministry of Environment has alerted on the opening of a dam in the Republic of Cameroon which may lead to flooding in parts of the country. This is in addition to the current heavy rainfall being recorded in the year.
“To this end, Edo State Government through the Ministry of Environment and Public Utilities has put in place an action plan to ensure a flood-free 2015 through elaborate and extensive de-siltation exercise of major towns in addition to the on-going Benin City Storm Water master plan.
“The good people of Edo State are therefore advised to collectively take the following precautions to forestall an incident of flooding and its consequence in the State.
“The people are advised to desist from indiscriminate waste dumping habits that end us blocking the drains which can result in the breeding of mosquitoes, flies and other disease carriers that may eventually result in a high prevalence of malaria, yellow fever, Lassa fever and cholera. Always use the provided waste bins.
“Ensure to de-silt the drains in front of our houses and cart away same.
“People living in low lands, river banks and other flood-prone areas such as Ilushi, Agenebode, Udaba and others are advised to re-locate to higher grounds.
“Because of the expected rainfall pattern in 2015, residents are advised to take a second look at the binding of their roofs to ensure that they are firm.
“The Government also calls on Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to immediately take another look at all their distribution facilities within the state to ensure that they are firm and strong enough to withstand any stormy weather in order to avoid electrocution-related but avoidable deaths.”
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