Yobe State Launches Campaign to Raise Awareness about Flood Prevention.
Ibrahim Umar
Kanempress
9th, August,2023
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has called upon local government authorities to raise awareness among residents about the hazards of floods and the importance of adhering to early warning systems as part of a comprehensive long-term strategy.
Speaking at a workshop on flood disaster preparedness organized by the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) with funding from the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Governor Buni emphasized the need for community leaders to take proactive measures such as clearing blocked drainage systems and embankments in order to prevent flooding.
Represented by Baba Malam-Wali at the workshop Governor Buni stated that ,the purpose of the event was to enhance the state’s level of preparedness and response to potential flooding based on predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
Moreover Dr. Mohammed Goje, the Executive Secretary of SEMA highlighted the flooding incidents in 2022 which placed significant pressure on the agency’s preparedness mitigation and response efforts.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), expressed his condolences for the lives lost and the extensive damage caused by the recent flooding in the state. He mentioned that many people were left without shelter and farmlands were destroyed making it difficult for the agency to provide assistance to all affected individuals.
In response to these challenges, the Governor instructed SEMA to develop a comprehensive plan to prevent such catastrophic events in the future drawing from lessons learned from previous incidents. The aim is to minimize the impact of future flooding and improve the agency’s ability to respond effectively.
The ACReSAL Project Coordinator Alhaji Shehu Mohammed praised SEMA for organizing the workshop stating that it was a timely initiative. He also highlighted some of the ongoing projects initiated by ACReSAL to mitigate the effects of climate change in the state emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing these issues.
