The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has organized a one-day sensitization programme for environmental stakeholders on flood prevention and waste management.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was held in Bauchi, with NEMA’s Head of Operations in Gombe Office, Mrs. Ummunah Ahmed, addressing the attendees.
Ahmed emphasized the importance of this sensitization in light of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s forecast of potential flooding in various states and local government areas nationwide.
According to Ahmed, Itas Gadau and Toro are identified as high-risk areas in Bauchi State, while Bauchi, Jama’are, Ganjuwa, Shira, Zaki, Warji, and Katagum are considered moderate-risk areas.
The program highlighted the critical role of proper waste management and the negative impacts of improper waste disposal on the environment and public health.
The gathering aimed to promote proactive measures for flood preparedness and community resilience, as well as encourage sustainable waste management practices and flood mitigation strategies.
“Improper waste disposal has severe and far-reaching consequences on our environment, health, and climate, hence the reason experts on environmental issues have been invited to do justice to the given topic. As you are aware, flood is always associated with improper waste management, so we are enlightening you, creating awareness among you so as to avoid flooding. If you look at our drainages and waterways, you will find out that they are all filled up with waste, so if we can clean and clear up our drainages, and dispose of our wastes properly, this is a good measure in avoiding flooding.
“I, therefore, urge you all to listen to expert presentations and advice, extending the same message to the grassroots,” she said. Ahmed also urged residents in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer locations, noting that those in hilly regions would be affected first in case of flooding.
Chief Environmental Health Officer, Bauchi State Ministry of Health, Mr. Haruna Suleiman, praised NEMA for the program and stressed the significance of proper waste disposal.
“We, in the Ministry of Health and Primary Healthcare, already have a structure, which is the Risk Communication and Community Engagement, where communities are engaged and sensitised on the importance of proper waste management and the effects of improper waste management to our health. We have so many structures in the communities that will help us in communicating this message in order to consider proper waste management as a vital tool in the prevention and control of diseases and flooding. I would like to advise other stakeholders to have structures at the community levels because community engagement is very critical in whatever you want people to do. Without a structure in the community where the community members are part of the implementing body, then there will be problems. But you can easily achieve whatever you want to achieve if the community members are participating in your activities,” he said.
NAN reports that representatives from the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency, Bauchi State Environmental Management Agency, National Orientation Agency, and Ministry of Health and Environment were present at the event.
Other attendees included traditional and religious leaders, members of the State and Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Police, among others. (NAN)
