The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has taken proactive steps to mitigate the impact of flooding in Nasarawa State by engaging stakeholders on early warning and early response measures.
This initiative is in response to predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) of imminent flooding across several states, including Nasarawa.
Aminu Bagudo, the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting Officer of NRCS in Abuja, stated during a stakeholders engagement in Lafia on Wednesday.
According to him, the engagement was part of the Italian government-supported Flood Response, Recovery, and Resilience programme.
He said the programme, implemented in 12 states, aims to enhance community preparedness and climate resilience.
Bagudo highlighted that the project focuses on raising awareness about early warning systems and rapid response to flood disasters.
” A key aspect of the initiative is a simulation exercise scheduled for August 15 in a riverine community in Wamba Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.
“This exercise, taking place in six states, will equip community members with practical skills on early warning and response during floods. Bagudo emphasised that the current engagement ensures stakeholders understand their roles and participate in the simulation exercise,” he added.
Also speaking, Mr Jerry Kuje, Nasarawa State Secretary of NRCS said, “The people of Lagin Community in Wamba where the simulation exercise will hold are very excited because they confirmed that the exercise was timely, saying that six persons lost their lives to flooding last year.”
On his part, Mr Jerry Kuje, Nasarawa State Secretary of NRCS, said that under the programme, 60 volunteers drawn from eight communities in Wamba and Nasarawa Local Government Areas of the state had been trained to sensitise communities against flood disaster.
He appreciated NRCS for choosing Nasarawa as one of the state for the simulation exercise, saying it would go a long way to help the people mitigate the impact of flood in the community.
“The people of Lagin Community in Wamba where the simulation exercise will hold are very excited because thy confirmed that the exercise was timely, saying that six person lost their lives to flooding last year,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Kana Ahmed-Abubakar, General Manager (GM) of the Nasarawa State Water Board, commended NRCS for the effort aimed at mitigating impact of flood disaster.
He emphasised the need for stakeholder collaboration to address issue of flood.
The GM said that Nasarawa State government had taken proactive measures to tackle flooding, particularly in Lafia, by opening up several canals and awarding contract for the dredging of River Amba.
Also, Engr Mohammed Maidunama, Nasarawa State Coordinator of National Hydroelectric Power Producing Area Development Commission (N-HYPADEC) said the commission would continue to sensitise and support areas affected by flood in the state.
The Voice reports that stakeholders at the meeting included the Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, representatives from the State Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, the traditional institution, and the media.
