*Calls for robust synergy among stakeholders to improve flood response and emergencies in Kaduna, Katsina



By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON

No fewer than 183 local government areas across Nigeria are at risk of high flooding as the 2023 rainy season approaches its peak.



This was disclosed yesterday in Kaduna, during the One-day Stakeholders Meeting on flood organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at its Northwest Zonal Office in Kaduna.



According to a presentation titled, "2023 LIST OF HIGH FLOOD RISK LGAs" Abia has one LGA, Osisioma-Ngwa with high flood risk.



In Adamawa, Yola North, Yola South, Numan, Fufore and Demsa were captured, while Akwa-Ibom has Uyo on the list



For Anambra, Ihiala, Ogbaru, Anaocha, Idemili North Ayamelum, Akwa South, Anambra East, Anambra west Onisha North, Awka South and Onitsha South were listed among those on high risk.



In the North East, Bauchi State's Gamawa, Kirfi, Zaki, Jama'are, Itas/Gadau and Shira LGAs are among high risk, while Bayelsa has Southern Ijaw, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Ekeremor, Yenegoa, Sagbama, Brass, Ogbia and Nembe.on same list.

In Benue, Bukuru, Agatu, Makurdi, Tarka, Gwer-West, Logo and Guma are on the spotlight, while Cross-River has Calabar Muncipal, Yala, Etung, Ogoja and Ikom LGAs on the list.



Also in the Niger Delta, Delta State has Oshimili South, Warri South West, Warri North, Sapele, Ethiope West, Patani, Ndokwa East, Ughelli South, Oshimili North, Warri South, Uvwie and Isoko South mentioned, while Edo has only Oredo LGA on the list.



Ekiti has only one LGA, Ado Ekiti on the list, while FCT has Abaji and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), with Oguta and Owerri West listed from Imo.



Jigawa has a long list of LGAs, Birnin-Kudu, Babura, Kiri, Kasama, Auyo, Miga, Biriniwa, Kafin-Hausa Taura, Guri, Kiri, Kasama, Gwaram, Maigatari, Miga, Malam-Madori, Ringim, Biriniwa, Jahun, Auyo and Hadejia, while North West neighbours, Kaduna has Kaduna South and Jema'a on the list.



In Kano, Ajingi, Rano, Ungogo, Dawakin-Tofa, Dawakin-Kudu, Dala, Kano Municipal were listed out of its 44 LGAS.



Kebbi has Suru, Argungu, Augie, Bagudo, Birnin Kebbi, Yauri, Koko/Besse, Dandi, Kalgo and Bunza listed, while Kogi features Dekina, Lokoja, Kogi, Idah, Igalamela-Odolu and Ibaji.





In Kwara, Ilorin West and llorin East are the only LGAs at high risk, while Lagos has Lagos Island, Apapa, Mushin, Ibeju-Lekki,, Alimosho, Amumo-Odofin, Ikeja, Ojo, Oshodi/Isolo, Agege, Ikorodu, Ifako-Ijaiye, Badagry and Eti-Osa listed.



North Central's Nasarawa State has Karu and Awe captured, while Niger's Borgu, Mokwa, Shiroro and Lavun are on the list, Ogun's Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Obafemi-owode, Ijebu-Ode and Ifo were spotted.

In Ondo, Ondo East and Ilaje were mentioned, while Osogbo made the list in Osun.



From Oyo, Ona-ara, Lagelu, Ibarapa Central, were listed, Plateau has Jos South, Rivers has Ahoada East, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Andoni, Bonny, Tai, Asari-Tori, Eleme Ahoada West, Abua/Odual, Port-Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Gokana, Okrika and Oyigbo listed, while Sokoto has Goronyo, Tangaza, Sokoto North, Sabon Birni, Binji, Rabah, Silame, Kebbe, Bodinga, Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Silame, Shagari, Yabo and Wamako.

In Taraba, Karim Lamido, Gassol, Ardo-kola, Jalingo, Wukari and Ibi were captured, Yobe has only Borsari LGA, while Zamfara featured only Bakura.



Meanwhile, The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for robust synergy among stakeholders to improve flood response and emergencies in Kaduna, Katsina states.



Imani Garki, North West Zonal coordinator of the agency, made the call in an address at a stakeholders consultative meeting yesterday in Kaduna.



He said the aim of the meeting is to provide opportunity for disaster management stakeholders to review previous experiences, identify gaps to improve on flood response in the zone.



According to him, the agency is emphasising and leveraging on stakeholders’ collaboration and use of their various specialties to checkmate disasters, reduce vulnerability and improve resilience in communities.



Garki said that the agency places high premium on the support and assistance it had continued to receive from its stakeholders, adding: “We are calling for more and your timely intervention when the emergency needs arises”.



“We have to work hard and work as a team to prevent disaster in the Northwest.



"Disasters need proactive steps to checkmate and needed involvement of all stakeholders,” he appealed.



The coordinator also highlighted the 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction, which needed careful and concerted efforts of all stakeholders to tackle.



“We also have to deliberate on the need to improve our individual agencies/organisational capacities, equipment holdings in anticipation to disaster/emergency situations,” he said.



Speaking, Group Capt Imran Musa, Commander 401 Flying Training School, Disaster Response Unit (DRU), assured NEMA of the commitment of the Airforce to fully assist in disaster and emergency situations whenever called on.



Musa mentioned that it has a long standing relationship with NEMA to which it provided a helicopter to the force fore efficient emergency rescue.



“As a DRU, we appreciate this closer synergy and collaboration being coordinated by NEMA,” he said.



Sulaiman Usman Deputy Superintendent of Fire, said that the Federal Fire Service (FFS) would give NEMA all the assistance it solicits and ensure Nigerians are safe.



“As first responders, the FFS is committed to its mandate and we will avail our service as usual to Nigerians anywhere, anytime and any place we are called upon,” he said.



The meeting was also attended by Nigerian Air Force, Federal Fire Service, Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).



Others are officials of state Ministry of Agriculture, state Ministry of Environment state Ministry of Health, Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency, Aid Foundation and the media

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