Flood: NEMA calls for Delta residents’ support on waste management 

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged Delta residents and stakeholders in the state, to support her efforts at ensuring proper waste management and mitigating flood and its impact on the state.

This was as the agency warned stakeholders in 18 Local Government Areas in Delta to get prepared ahead of eventual flood in the state.

Zubaida Umar, the agency’s director-general spoke at a One-Day Stakeholders Sensitisation Workshop, organised by NEMA in collaboration with Delta State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for the targeted LGAs.

The theme of the workshop was, “Proper Waste Management and Flood Preparation”. Umar, represented by Dahiru Yusuf, the agency’s Head of Operation,  said the workshop was aimed at encouraging behavioural change towards sustainable waste management practices and flood mitigation strategies in the state.

According to Umar, the objective of the workshop is to raise awareness about the importance of proper waste practices. “To educate the public on the adverse effect of improper waste disposal on the environment and public health. To promote practical measures for flood preparedness and resilience communities, said the DG.

Ejiro Etacherure, the  Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, said the sensitisation was timely. He said that the state government has also established flood committees and set up Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps at strategic places to mitigate the impact of floods across the state.

While thanking the organising agencies, he tasked the participants with the need to pay adequate attention to the lectures being delivered. Karo Ovemeso, the director of SEMA, said the 18 LGAs invited to the workshop were the flood flash points in the state.

He said that the sensitisation has become necessary to enable the impacted communities to prepare for any eventuality occasioned by a downpour.

According to him, the situation may persist until the government constructs dams to take off the excess water from the overflowing rivers. He noted that the flood-prone LGAs include, Oshimili South and, North, Warri South West, Burutu, Bomadi, Udu, Ndokwa, Patani, and others.

He, however, called for collaborative efforts of the waste management agencies, the residents and the Private Sector Participants (PSP) to ensure proper waste management in the state.