Ramatu Garba – Kano
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has organized disaster risk management stakeholders coordination meeting in the state.
NEMA Territorial Coordinator for Kano and Jigawa States, Dr Nuradeen Abdullahi, stated this at a one-day Stakeholders meeting on Seasonal Climate Prediction(SCP) and Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) in Kano.
Abdullahi said the meeting was organized to remind the stakeholders on their responsibilities regarding the impact of climate change and the expensive nature of environmental disaster.
He said the meeting will enlighten the stakeholders on the predicted flood across the state by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, SCP and annual flood outlook 2024.
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According to him, NiMET had predicted high risk flood in 14 Local Government, five local government moderately probable flood risk areas and 25 local government areas at low risk across the state.
The local government areas identified are Rimin Gado,Tofa, Kabo, Madobi, Garum Malam, Bebeji, Rano, Dawakin Kudu, Warawa, Wudil, Sumaila, Ajingi, Kura and Dala.
Karaye,Takai, Bunkure, Dawakin Tofa and Makoda, while others at low risk are: Doguwa, Tudun Wada, Kibiya, Garko, Albasu, Gaya, Kiru, Rogo,Gwarzo, Shanono, Tsanyawa, Bagwai, Bichi and Ghari.
Others are Danbatta, Minjibir, Gabasawa, Gwale, Fagge, Nassarawa, Kano Municipal, Tarauni, Ungogo,Kumbotso
and Gezawa.
Abdullahi noted that during rainy season, women and children are mostly affected and urged people in flood prone areas to collaborate and take preventive measures before the rainy season.
The State Commissioner of Humanitarian and Poverty Eradication, Amina Abdullahi, said Kano government has established a high-powered committee led by the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, to oversee the desilting of drainages across the 44 local government areas to prevent flooding.
“Careful planning for preparedness and response can significantly curtail disasters or emergencies across communities” Abdullahi said
The Commissioner reiterated the state government committement to protect the well-being of its citizens against natural and environmental hazards.
Also, the Executive Secretary SEMA, Alhaji Isiyaku Kubarachi, urged the general public to report emergencies and disasters to the local emergency management committees(LEMC) in their various local government areas.
He called on the participants to step down the knowledge to the grassroot which would go a long way in alerting them to ways and means of averting danger and disasters.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, the Vice Chairman Dawakin Kudu local government Kano, Shu’aibu “Yar Gaya described the meeting as apt.
They promised to rededicate themselves to their responsibilities to avert flooding and other environmental hazards.
NEMA Coordinator presented a paper on “Evacuation Plan Processes and Procedures”.