As part of efforts to raise public awareness about proper waste management and to adequately mobilize citizens of the State for flood preparedness, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other agencies of Government and relevant stakeholders in the State have organized a one-day awareness campaign and road show in Ado-Ekiti.
In her address at the event, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar stressed that proper waste disposal and flood preparedness were crucial for community well-being and environmental health.
The Director General who was represented by the Agency’s Head Operations Ekiti and Ondo States,Mr Kofoworola Sholeye noted that improper waste disposal trigger flood disasters as well as adverse health consequences which usually lead to significant damage to property and loss of life, adding that this could be mitigated if all stakeholders stand-up to the challenges and come up with the measures that would help to enlighten the people of Ekiti State on proper waste management, as many have cultivated the habit of indiscriminate dumping of refuse over the years.
Mrs. Umar stated that the initiative was to sensitize and create awareness among Ekiti people about the expected heavy rainfalls predicted by the Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) that listed Ekiti among the States that would likely experience heavy rainfall and potential flooding this year.
The NEMA Boss said “it is necessary to always promote and carry out activities that would safeguard our environment by ensuring the rapid enlightenment of the general public on the need to desist from dumping refuse indiscriminately”.
While commending the commitment of the State Emergency Management Agency and other disaster management agencies in the State for their efforts the Director General assured of the willingness of his agency to sustain the synergy with the Ekiti State Government to explore long-term and more sustainable solutions to both natural and human-induced disasters.
In his goodwill message the Permanent Secretary Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Abayomi Opeyemi urged citizens of the State to strictly adhere to the State environmental laws by avoiding indiscriminate dumping of waste and erecting structures on river banks and flood plains
Also speaking, the General Manager of SEMA, Mr. Oludare Asaolu, appreciated the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for the initiatives and collaborative efforts to once again avert flooding and the attendant destruction of lives and properties in the State this year following the NiMet Advice.
He commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for approving funds for the dredging of waterways in high-risk zones across the state to prevent flooding and its attendant risks to lives and properties even before the NiMET weather forecasts flagged the State as one of those to expect heavy rainfall in the third quarter of the year
The SEMA General Manager noted that the Governor’s proactive steps last year prevented massive flooding in the State in spite of heavy rainfalls
Also speaking in the same vein, the Director General of the Ekiti State Waste Management Board, Mr Olasunkami Onipede while urging citizens to properly dispose their waste at all times said the State Government had placed Dino bins at strategic locations in the State Capital for easy disposal and collection of waste.
The awareness campaign on flood preparedness and waste management was attended top officials of the Ekiti State Bureau of Civic Orientation and Citizenship, the Bureau of Community Communications, the State Ministry of Health, top officials of the Ekiti State Police Command, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Federal Roads Safety Corps, the National Security and Civil Defense Corps and other relevant stakeholders across the state.