Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

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The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Muhammadu Muhammed has alerted the Ekiti state government over predictions of flooding in the state, calling on the government to step up early response towards averting and mitigating the natural disaster.
The NEMA DG made the alert when he led a delegation to the Ekiti state governor , Dr Kayode Fayemi yesterday in Ado-Ekiti.
He noted that the prediction of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency(NiMET) that the state will experience flooding between August and October this year due to heavy rains should not be taken lightly considering the negative impact it would have on people and the economy.
Muhammed, represented by the Assistant Director, Planning, Research and Forecasting, Mr Jacob Ajiboye said the essence of the visit was to ensure people especially in the predicted highly flood risk council areas of Ado-Ekiti, Ijero and Irepodun/Ifelodun are well sensitized to, ” undertake mitigation actions and evacuation to safe ground.”
The DG who also addressed a stakeholders meeting said, ” it is our responsibility as government and people to evolve strategies to minimize losses through adherence to warning alerts, early preparation and proper response.
Receiving the NEMA delegation on behalf of the state governor, the Director General, Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery, Prof. Bolaji Aluko revealed that the state government has put in place important measures in averting flooding, adding that the state was proactive and could not afford to experience situation of flooding like in 2019.
He said the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has identified all flood-prone areas across 16 local government areas of the state, adding that the government would make available all that is needed by the agency in achieving the desired results aimed averting the looming flood.
NEMA Head of Operations for Ekiti ,Ondo and Osun states, Mr Olusegun Afolayan advised the state government to begin the process of clearing and dredging of canals and waterways across the state to allow free flow of erosion.