The Federal Government has issued a flood alert, warning of possible heavy rainfall and flooding in seven states and 25 locations across the country between August 23 and 24.
The Ministry of Environment, in a statement signed by the Director of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Bokani, advised residents of communities along the River Niger flood plains from Jebba to Lokoja to evacuate immediately due to rising water levels.
States and communities likely to be affected include Benue (Abinsi, Agyo, Gbajimba, Gogo, Makurdi, Mbapa, Otobi, Otukpo, Udoma, Ukpiam), Borno (Briyel, Dikwa, MaiduKamba), Gombe (Bajoga, Dogon Ruwa, Gombe, Nafada), Kebbi (Gwandu, Jega, Kamba), Nasarawa (Agima, Keana, Keffi, Odogbo, Rukubi), Niger (Lapai) and Yobe (Gashua, Gasma, Potiskum).
Similarly, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday urged residents in high-risk flood plains, particularly in Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara States bordering the Republic of Benin, to relocate to safer and higher grounds.
In a statement signed by its Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, directed all operations offices covering River Niger communities to intensify sensitisation campaigns and mobilise residents for flood preparedness.
She further called on state governments in identified high-risk areas to support their Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) in activating contingency plans to reduce the impact of flooding this year.
Mrs. Umar reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to ensuring coordinated actions to safeguard lives and livelihoods along the River Niger.
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