July 18, 2023

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sensitised Akure residents, especially market women, to the dangers of indiscriminate dumping of refuse in waterways.

The Head of Operation for Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti, Mr. Kadiri Olarewaju, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that the sensitisation was important due to the predictions that rain would be much this year.

The sensitisation walk, which involved NYSC members, took the train around Oja Oba and Isolo market in Akure.

Olarewaju noted that if the drains were blocked, water would always find another route and the reason for flooding.

“Based on NiMet predictions that rain will be much this year, NEMA as a responsive agency, felt that we should start sensitisation programme in and around Ondo State on the need to be mindful of how to keep the environment and clear the drains before the onset of this heavy rain.

“So even if there will be flood, it won’t be devastating. So we are sensitising them to have a cleaner environment and so that people don’t drive in the flood,” he said.

He said there were several challenges in curbing flood, especially when people would not stop building and dumping refuse on waterways, not heeding to warnings and advice to leave flood-ravaged areas.

Olarewaju advised that when flood happened, people should stay on higher ground and stay away from the areas. (NAN)