Nigeria’s National Orientation Agency (NOA) has initiated a nationwide program focused on raising awareness and assessing flood risks. This effort which was led by Director-General Mallam Lanre Onilu, aims to equip communities located in areas susceptible to flooding with tools and knowledge to deal with possible water level increases. The initiative forms a crucial part of the NOA’s continuous work to reduce the severe impacts of floods, which have led to considerable destruction in previous years.
In a recent update at the Ohita Community within the Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nuru Kobi, the Director of Planning, Research, and Strategy, delivered a message on behalf of Mallam Onilu. He alerted the community about the release of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam. This discharge is anticipated to elevate water levels in both the Niger and Benue Rivers, raising concerns about potential flooding in several states nationwide. The NOA’s awareness initiative seeks to educate community members about this looming threat and promote readiness.
Communities will be equipped with the necessary emergency knowledge.
They highlighted the necessity of acting ahead of time, remembering the devastating floods of 2012 and 2022 that resulted in extensive casualties and damages. Mr. Edozie Ajaegbu, the state Director of NOA in Anambra, highlighted the organisation’s proactive initiatives to inform residents in affected regions. Given that regular overflow impacts the river communities in Anambra, the NOA is dedicated to equipping locals with the necessary knowledge to face possible emergencies. He pointed out that the increasing water levels necessitate urgent measures to avert a recurrence of past events.
Chief Emma Obi, the President-General of the Ohita Community, spoke about the challenges his community faces with flooding, pointing out that this year’s overflow has impacted several locations. He commended the timely alerts from governmental bodies, which enabled citizens to leave their homes promptly. Nonetheless, Chief Obi urged the need for lasting remedies, such as constructing an embankment along the River Niger, to avert similar calamities in the future. Community members seek higher ground and protect their possessions as the Lagdo Dam releases water.
Residents should take heed and maintain their drainage systems.
Also, in Delta State, Mallam Nuru Yusuf Kobi and the NOA team conducted visits to communities vulnerable to flooding to alert locals of the upcoming flood threat. He further advised residents in low-lying regions to move to areas that are not vulnerable to flood promptly, referencing the devastating overflow of the past years that affected more than 600,000 individuals and ravaged homes. The agency stressed the importance of being prepared to reduce the effects of potential floods.
The Director-General of NOA for Delta State, Mrs. Tracy Omamode Ikolomi, also called on local residents to heed the flood alerts and to maintain their drainage systems in order to minimise the chances of major flooding. She highlighted that increasing water levels in locations such as Oko Amakom serve as a precursor to possible catastrophe. Local leaders, along with youth representative Daniel Keme Ogbuchi, praised the NOA’s initiatives, emphasising that their community is well-equipped to implement measures that will avert the destruction faced in past years.
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Lastly, the NOA urges individuals living in areas at risk of flooding to take preventive actions, like cleaning out drainage systems and relocating to higher locations. The agency’s prompt response comes after warnings from the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency regarding the discharge from the Lagdo Dam, aiming to mitigate the possible effects of flooding across the 11 designated frontline states. By pursuing these initiatives, the NOA seeks to safeguard both individuals and assets while highlighting the significance of proactive planning for natural calamities.