Jigawa prepares for impending floods with proactive measures
The Jigawa State Government says it is taking proactive measures to mitigate the impact of impending flooding in the state.
This is coming shortly after the Federal Government’s warning of heavy flooding between April and November, across various States in the country.
The Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency, Habibu Yarima, revealed in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Correspondent via telephone on Thursday in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is playing a crucial role in the state’s flood preparedness efforts as several precautionary measures were taken by the Agency.
“The state government is working closely with relevant stakeholders to avert the forecasted disaster.” Yarima said
According to him, these include collaborating with community-based organisations in waterway-prone areas to educate residents on flood prevention and preparedness and erecting some embankment in many towns and villages across the flood expected areas in the state.
“The Jigawa State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Netherlands-based company, KWT and AVECO DE BONDT, to reduce flood disasters in the state. This partnership aims to leverage the expertise of the Dutch company to develop effective flood management strategies,” he stated.
“The state government has identified flood-prone areas and is working to develop targeted strategies to protect these communities. This includes providing emergency services, evacuation routes, and temporary shelters,” he explained.
The public relations officer mentioned that the state government is engaging with community leaders and residents to raise awareness about the impending flooding adding that “This includes educating them on how to prepare for floods, evacuate safely, and access emergency services.”
Yarima further stated that “the state government is collaborating with relevant stakeholders, including community-based organizations, to ensure a coordinated response to the impending flooding. This partnership aims to leverage the expertise and resources of all stakeholders to mitigate the impact of flooding.”
He also confirmed that SEMA is ensuring that emergency services are readily available to respond to flood-related emergencies. This includes providing ambulances, rescue teams, and emergency shelters, when need arises.
In the same vain, efforts to reach the acting head of SEMA, Director of Operations Mr. Murtala Mai’unguwa, were successful.
