The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a warning about the high flood risk facing 362 vulnerable communities across 14 local governments in Kano State.
NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, delivered this alert during a one-day stakeholders meeting in Kano on Thursday. The meeting focused on “Solid Waste Management and Flood Preparedness: Downscaling 2024 Flood Early Warning Strategies for Grassroots Action.”
The workshop, themed “Enhancing Community Resilience through Effective Solid Waste Management and Proactive Flood Preparedness” aimed to address flood risks and solid waste management.
Umar, represented by Dr. Nuraddeen Abdullahi, NEMA Territorial Coordinator for the Kano Office, noted that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has projected that 3,749,200 individuals in the state are at risk of flooding.
The local governments at risk include Rimin Gado, Tofa, Kabo, Madobi, Garun Malam, Bebeji, Rano, Dawakin Kudu, Warawa, Wudil, Sumaila, Ajingi, Kura, and Dala.
Umar emphasized that the meeting’s objective was to implement effective early actions to protect lives and livelihoods throughout the rainy season.
“Floods of 2012 and 2022 have highlighted the critical need for coordinated efforts across all levels of government in managing disaster risks.
“Kano state has historically experienced severe impacts from floods, and the current predictions highlight that certain areas will continue to face challenges, especially with improper solid waste disposal in our communities,” she said
The DG emphasized the need to collaborate to sensitize the public on waste management as well as downscaling flood early warning and risk mitigation at the grassroots levels.
“Improper solid waste disposal affects the environment, human health as well as the economy, due to uncontrolled dumping of large amounts of wastes, which prevent rainwater from flowing freely leading to overflow and flooding.
Umar noted that NEMA has engaged in extensive planning and analysis, Stakeholders’ Technical Meetings, and an Emergency Coordination Forum.
“Disaster management is everyone’s business. By coming together, we can protect our communities, preserve critical infrastructure, and maintain socio-economic stability in Kano state.
“This aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed focus on socio-economic growth and development under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu,” Umar said.
The Kano State Commissioner for Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation, Amina Abdullahi, reaffirmed Governor Abba Yusuf’s dedication to safeguarding residents from disasters and emergencies.
Abdullahi, who was represented by Mr. Mustafa Yunusa, the Director of Disaster Management and Rapid Response at the Ministry, praised the organizers of the workshop.
Amadu Haruna-Zago, Managing Director of the Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board, called on residents to avoid disposing of waste on roads and in waterways.
Additionally, Isyaku Abdullahi-Kubarachi, Executive Secretary of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), acknowledged the efforts of NEMA and other stakeholders in raising public awareness about disaster preparedness.
According to NAN, the workshop was organized by NEMA in partnership with SEMA and the Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
