The National Emergency Management Agency, on Thursday, engaged critical stakeholders in Gombe State on the level of preparedness to mitigate the effects of flooding in 2024.
Mrs Ummunah Ahmad, the Head of Operations, NEMA while addressing stakeholders during the meeting held in Gombe State University said disaster management remains a collective task for all stakeholders.
Ahmad said bringing the stakeholders together was to help brainstorm on plans to mitigate flooding in Gombe State based on NiMet prediction for 2024.
She said one of the objectives of the meeting was to sensitise stakeholders on the need to play their roles in creating awareness on the climate prediction to the grassroots.
According to her, this is to allow concerned agencies and even the people to take necessary precautions to mitigate disasters during the rainy season.
“Disaster management is everybody’s business and requires collective collaboration and cooperation from all of you here in order to assist in saving lives and property.
“ As you are all aware weather and climate have negative impact on agriculture, infrastructures, disaster management which is the reason why we should adhere to predictions whenever it is made.
“Few months ago, 2024 annual climate prediction has been made public by NiMet.
“The seasonal climate prediction helps NEMA to analyse disaster risk implication and produce disaster early warning messages for the protection of lives and property.
“Therefore, the Meteorological information being provided by NiMet always contributed immensely to disaster preparedness, mitigation and response plan of NEMA,” she said.
According to Ahmad, disasters do come along with a lot of negative consequences such as loss of lives, injuries, loss of property, displacement, loss of means of livelihood our break of diseases.
She said it was in view of the above that actions should be taken by all stakeholders to prevent or mitigate its impact on citizens of the state.
Ahmad appealed to residents of the state to ensure that they take proactive measures to avert any disaster in their communities, stressing that disaster does not benefit anyone.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Abdullahi Abdullahi said a lot of engagements and sensitisations were being done to ensure that the rains this year does not lead to loss of lives and property.
Represented by Mr Ibrahim Nalado, a deputy director, relief and rehabilitation at the agency, Abdullahi appealed to residents to clear waterways and avoid any activity that could expose them to flooding.
Mr Hisham Ibrahim, the Head of Department, NiMet, Gombe State office said making Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) public was for governments and individuals to take caution while those in the agriculture sector could leverage it to ensure good farming activities.
Ibrahim appealed to relevant agencies in the state to create more awareness in rural communities so that people at the grassroots who are majorly farmers, could use the prediction to their favour.
For National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), “We will continue to enforce environmental laws so that impact of flooding will be mitigated,” said Mr Sani Dutse, Head, Public Affairs Department, North East Zonal office.
Dutse commended Gombe State government for constructing waste collection centres in several communities to enhance proper waste management in the state.
The participants commended NEMA for organising the engagement, stressing that it would help create the needy awareness towards flood prevention and mitigation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that representatives from the Gombe State Police Command, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Gombe State Fire Service and that of the state Ministry of Health amongst others were in attendance.
