Following the 2024 flood prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which identified five Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Gombe State as being highly susceptible to flood disasters, officials from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have initiated a comprehensive sensitization campaign aimed at these vulnerable areas.
The LGAs identified by NiMet include Kwami, Dukku, Yalmatu-Deba, Gombe, and Funakaye.
In response to this warning, SEMA officials have embarked on a mission to educate and prepare residents in these regions for potential flooding.
This campaign follows an earlier training session organized by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with SEMA.
This training took place on June 12, 2024, and aimed to equip the officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle flood-related emergencies effectively.
Under the leadership of the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Abdullahi Haruna Abdullahi Bakoza, the agency has embarked on an enlightenment tour to the flood-risk areas.
The campaign began on Thursday 11 July, 2024, with the Executive Secretary and his team visiting the LGAs most at risk.
During this campaign, Abdullahi Haruna Abdullahi Bakoza is scheduled to meet with key stakeholders in each LGA.
These stakeholders include council officials, traditional and religious leaders, members of civil society organizations, and representatives of disabled persons. The meetings aim to address critical issues related to flood prevention and mitigation.
One of the primary points of discussion during these meetings is the importance of keeping water channels clear of refuse.
Abdullahi Haruna Abdullahi Bakoza emphasized the need for residents to avoid using water channels as dumping sites for garbage, which can exacerbate flooding during heavy rains.
Additionally, the Executive Secretary commended the Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, for his strong commitment to environmental issues and for providing SEMA with the necessary support to carry out its activities effectively.
So far, the SEMA team has visited Kwami and Funakaye LGAs, with plans to visit Dukku, Gombe, and Yalmatu-Deba in the coming days.
This ongoing campaign is part of a broader effort to ensure that residents are well-informed and prepared to handle potential flood disasters, thereby reducing the impact on lives and property.
The information about the sensitization campaign was detailed in a statement by Joshua Danmallam, highlighting the proactive measures being taken by the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency to safeguard its residents from predicted flood risks.
