By Henry Odeh
The executive governor of Oyo state, Engr Seyi Makinde has hosted the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), towards an effective management of disaster in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, the Deputy Governor Engr Rauf Olaniyan, who represented the governor during a one day flood advocacy meeting which held at the conference room of the State Head of Service on Thursday in Ibadan, stressed that Oyo state government is fully committed to the wellbeing and safety of all residents in the state.
Engr Olaniyan, explained that the state government is donating a permanent site to NEMA in the state as part of its commitment to adequately manage
disaster and disaster related issues across the state.
NEMA Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Kolawole Adedokun, who represented NEMA DG, AVM Mohammadu, expressed the DG’s goodwill from President Mohammadu Buhari, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq.
Commodore Adedokun in a speech delivered on behalf of NEMA DG, explained that flood has become a recurring experience in Nigeria noting that a similar flood occurred in 2018 after the devastating experience of 2012 flood disaster leading to a declaration of disaster emergency in many states.
He explained further that even though climate change has been largely blamed for the increasing phenomenon, it is everyone’s responsibility as government and people to evolve strategies to minimize losses through strict adherence to warning alerts stressing that early preparation and response were what necessitated the advocacy meeting.
He said: “I wish to draw the attention of your Excellency to the 2020 seasonal rainfall prediction and annual flood outlook. These documents have forecasted flood situation for different parts of the country.
“The annual flood outlook informed that 102 local government areas, 28 states, fall within the highly probable risk areas, while 275 local government areas I’m the 36 states of the federation including the FCT fall within the moderately probable flood risk areas.
“The remaining 397 local government areas fall within the low probable flood risks areas. Unfortunately, the predicted floods have started to occur in many parts of the country therefore, it is imperative to activate all plans and measures against the prediction as the season moves towards the peak.
“This year, the probable flood risk areas are Ona-Ara, Lagelu, Oyo East, Kajola, Egbeda, Ogbomoso South, Iseyin, Ibarapa North, Ibadan South West, Ibadan North West, and Ibadan South East local government areas.
According to Commodore Adekunle, considering the available facts, NEMA is requesting Oyo state government to take proactive and necessary mitigating measures in addressing the issues raised.
Parts of NEMA requests from the state government include directing Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA), frontline local government authorities and other response agencies to put in place preparedness action.
Some of such preparedness action according to NEMA also include public enlightenment campaigns targeting vulnerable communities to undertake mitigation actions and prepare for evacuation to safe ground.
NEMA also requested that Oyo state government identify high grounds for possible internally displaced persons camps in order to prepare for shelter for flood victims, distilling river channels and canals, clearing of water channels, drainages, and all avenues for river run offs to enable free flow of flood water.
Engr Rauf Olaniyan, while speaking earlier assured that the state government through SEMA has been collaborating with NEMA to engage all stakeholders with the aim of ensuring safety of all residents especially during heavy downpour stressing that Oyo state government will continue to partner with all relevant agencies and stakeholders in the fight against flood and other forms of disasters in the state.
