JUST IN: Flood ravages 10 LGs in Niger, seven killed

JUST IN: Flood ravages 10 LGs in Niger, seven killed

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has reported that seven lives have been lost in 10 local governments currently experiencing floods across Niger State.

The director general of NSEMA, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah, provided the figures of those affected by the flood and stated that the agency is working with all available resources to minimize loss due to flooding in the 2024 rainy season.

He urged residents living near the banks of River Niger and River Kaduna to relocate before the floods start and advised those conducting activities around the river banks to cease such activities to avoid being caught unprepared when the floods occur.

Meanwhile, the North-South Power Company has begun the sensitization and awareness on flooding for host communities and dwellers around the upstream and downstream of the Shiroro hydroelectric power plant.

The Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of North South Power Company Limited, Engineer Olubunmi Peters said that the sensitization and awareness forum is an annual forum aimed at sensitizing and educating dwellers involved in any form of water-based activities, upstream and downstream of the Shiroro hydroelectric power plant on the environmental hazards caused by flooding and the possible ways to reduce the devastating damages to lives and properties.

READ ALSO:

• FG reopens bid for Lagos-Ibadan road Phase 2 after rejecting Julius Berger’s N258bn
• Hardship: Makinde insists Tinubu didn’t give govs N570bn
• IOCs, govt still colluding to frustrate our refinery operation – Dangote

He said that to curtail the reoccurrence of floods, stakeholders need to institute appropriate measures by developing strategies and identifying the most effective and economical remedies to flooding.

“The country has experienced an increasing number of extreme wet events, resulting in severe catastrophic economic, environmental, and social damages in some states. The Federal government has issued a flood alert, warning 31 states in the federation of imminent flid disaster and the imperative of devising potent measures to mitigate the menace”, he said.

Peters stressed the need for the government and all stakeholders to come up with lasting solutions to flood and how floodwater can be utilized to improve agriculture urging dam host communities to continue to embrace dialogue in settling disputes.

The local government Chairmen of Rafi and Munya local government areas, Honorable Ayubs Katako and Alhhaji Aminu Najume commended the forum saying that they will work towards ensuring that the communities will be sensitized to ensure that they are prepared when the flood comes in.

JUST IN: Flood ravages 10 LGs in Niger, seven killed