KADSEMA warns flood-prone areas against blocking drainage 

The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA), on Monday, informed residents of flood-prone communities in the state, to move out from their residents, or refrain from any activities that can promote flooding.

Executive Secretary, Muhammed Mukaddas, made the call during a sensitisation tour of some flood-prone areas in Kaduna on Monday.

According to him, the agency was committed towards tackling flooding in the state, adding that the exercise is the agency’s way of giving early warnings to residents of flood-prone areas in the state

He said that the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) listed Kaduna as one of the states to witness flooding in 2022.

Mukaddas said that residents of flood-prone areas should avoid blocking of water channels in the interest of their safety, adding that It was wrong and environmentally unfriendly to build or dump wastes on water channels.

He said the attitude of residents towards the environment was crucial to its sustenance and continued existence, saying that arrangements were being made to enable residents of communities located along the river banks to move into designated holding centres.

He said all we are doing is to take the right steps by preparing ahead of time for any eventuality

The District Head of Romi community, Mr. Joseph Bala, commended the agency for its proactive steps towards effective flood control in the state.

He said the sensitisation exercise is well thought-out, adding that we shall be vigilant to the early warning signals in the interest of our safety,” he said.

Also speaking, Mohammed Yahaya, the Controller-General, Safety Awareness and Environmental support Initiative (SAESI) called for stakeholders’ collaboration to clear blocked drains in the state.