NEMA: 25 States, 72 LGAs Prone to Flooding this Year

Laleye Dipo in Minna

At least 25 out of the 36 states in Nigeria would be prone to flooding during this year’s raining season.

This was disclosed yesterday in Minna, Niger State, by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which added that 72 local government areas would be mostly affected by the flooding out of the 774 LGAs in the country.

The Director General of the NEMA, Ms. Zubaida Umar, disclosed this while handing over the federal government’s approved grains and food items to the Niger State Government in Minna.

Umar said that state governments should begin to take proactive measures to mitigate the effect of the impending flood.

She informed Governor Mohammed Umar Bago  that  12 out of the 25 local government areas in the state  are very prone to the flood.

“This year’s high probable flood risk  areas in Niger States are Agwara  Bida, Magama,  Munya, Agaie,  Shiroro,  Bosso,  Kontagora, Gujarat, Chanchaga ( Minna) Rafi and Lavun local government areas “

Umar called on Niger State’s governor to take proactive and necessary mitigating measures in addressing the issue.

She gave a road map, which included directing the State Emergency Management Agency to start enlightenment campaigns targeting vulnerable communities among others.

On the grains supplied to the state, the director general revealed that it is part of 42,000 metrics tons of assorted food commodities from the national strategic reserve that was ordered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cushion the effect of high cost of food items.

The NEMA boss said that Niger received 550 metrics tons of Maize, 650 metrics tons of sorghum and 237. 5 metrics tons of millet to be distributed  on the basis of  Mr. President’s directive of 20 per cent for each local government should be given  to religious organisations and 3.0 per cent to boarding schools.

Responding, Governor Bago thanked the president for “his great leadership skills” and directed security agencies to monitor the distribution to the intended beneficiaries.

“I would personally ensure that anyone found wanting will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Bago declared.