NEMA moves to tackle disasters

By Dennis Agbo

ABAKALIKI— AS the rainy season approaches, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has initiated steps to teach Nigerians on how to prevent flood disasters in their homes, offices or farm lands.

One of such measures, the agency said, is that residents must stop  the habit of disposing wastes in moving water, especially when it is raining, advising people to make effective use of waste bins and sites provided by the authorities.

NEMA’s South East Zonal Coordinator, Abdulahi Onimode in a statement also advised people not to build houses on flood planes, unless the area is elevated and reinforced. He also said that builders should learn to follow  urban development plans, while advocating for the use of sand bags to mitigate the effect of running water during rains.

Onimode also said that defences such as leaves and reservoirs  should be used to prevent rivers from bursting their banks. He also encouraged the use of reinforcements and construction of dykes around dams.

The NEMA boss cautioned that driving in  flooded area should be at a minimal speed, while pedestrians should not step into moving water above six inches to avoid falling down, electric shocks and other related hazards.

He also said that after flooding, people should  avoid drinking or using flood waters as some of them may be contaminated by sewage and other toxic chemicals.