The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has issued a directive urging residents of flood-prone communities to relocate to safer areas following severe flooding that affected Sabon-Gari and Zaria Local Government Areas earlier this week.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Usman Mazadu, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, emphasized the agency’s proactive measures to mitigate the impact of flooding, which include desilting drainage channels and raising public awareness.
“As you may recall, we received predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) three months ago, and we took proactive measures to prepare for the flood,” Mazadu stated. “Our assessment identified three key issues: inadequate drainages, dumping of refuse, and structures erected within waterways.”
Mazadu further explained that the findings were presented to the state governor, who directed a statewide desilting of old drainages, a task that has since been completed. This action, he noted, helped minimize the flood’s impact in several predicted areas.
However, despite these efforts, Mazadu expressed concern that some residents had refused to evacuate, resulting in significant property damage. He highlighted ongoing public enlightenment campaigns on local radio stations, aimed at educating residents on the dangers of living in flood-prone areas, though he acknowledged that the message has yet to fully resonate with the affected communities.
“It is in the interest of residents to relocate to higher plains,” Mazadu advised.
“I keep telling stakeholders and people within these flood-prone areas that the issue of security and safety is not just about the governor. We equally need to understand the importance of safeguarding our lives and property.
“Let’s communicate to our brothers and sisters on the negative effect and dangers of living in flood-prone areas.
“On behalf of the government of Mallam Uba Sani, we are pleading with people living within flood-prone areas, to evacuate to urban centres.”
