Governors of states expected to be affected by flood in 2015 have again been reminded to urgently relocate their citizens living in the flood prone areas.
The states include Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, Kogi and Delta. Others at risk are Niger, Nasarawa, Gombe and Bauchi State.
Mr Manzo Ezekiel, Information Officer of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), issued the reminder during interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.
“NEMA had written and enlightened the governors of the frontline states on the need to urgently relocate their citizens living in the flood prone areas.
“NEMA is set to provide relief materials for people who might be affected by the predicted flood in 2015.’’
Ezekiel said that the predicted flood was due to the plan by Cameroon to routinely release excess water from Lagdo dam between August and November.
He said the safe relocation of everyone living in the coastal areas was the priority of NEMA, not necessarily the provision of relief materials.
He added, however, that the relief materials included food and non-food items.
“NEMA has prepared enough relief materials for victims of the forthcoming flood, but we are looking at that as our last resort for people that will be affected.’’
Ezekiel added that NEMA was still carrying out advocacy visits and awareness campaigns in the flood-prone areas.
According to him, NEMA had called on all relevant stakeholders to be prepared and ready to assist victims of the disaster.
Ezekiel explained that attitudinal change of Nigerians was necessary.
He noted that most of the people evacuated during the 2012 flooding returned to their homesteads when the floods receded.
He assured that this year’s flooding will not be as devastating as that of 2012 because there had been increased awareness on the effect of flooding.
NAN
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