Residents in 6 LGAs prone to flooding in Kwara warned to relocate – official

News Agency Of Nigeria

August 18, 2019 7:08 PM

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agencies (NIHSA) has listed six local governments in Kwara that are very prone to flooding in 2019 flood alerts.

Damaged waterways in Saturday’s flood in Minna/Illustration (NAN)

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Environment, Alhaji Amosa Al-Amin made this known on Sunday in Ilorin during a media briefing on the impending flood alert in the country.

Al-Amin listed the six local governments to include Edu, Patigi, Moro, Ilorin East, Ilorin West and Asa.

The permanent secretary, therefore, warned residents of the state against dumping refuse on drains and water ways to guide against flood, especially in flood prone areas of the state.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agencies (NIHSA), issued flood alerts across the country, especially in states straddling the River Niger where water levels have risen above the 2010 and 2018 levels.

According to Al-Amin, Kwara State falls within this axis and this administration felt compelled to officially alert the people to this development.

“We appeal to Kwarans to cooperate with the state government on the various measures to mitigate the effects of what is often a combination of natural phenomenon, human activities and failure to heed warnings,” Al-Amin added.

He also appealed to communities located in and near flood plains and other vulnerable areas to relocate to safer locations.

He identified such communities in Edu local government as Iyeluwa, Belle Gbako, Liptata, Edogi, Chewuru.

The permanent secretary advised residents of these communities to relocate to safer places for a while.

“Communities in Jebba and Bacita are also urged to take this very seriously for safety reasons.

“Farming along river bank areas should be discouraged for now,” Al-Amin advised the residents.

He said residents in Patigi can relocate to the Resettlement centres located at Godiwaji in Patigi that was constructed by the Federal Government.

“Residents of communities in Kwara Central like Isale Koko, Dumon, and Abata Sunkere, among others, are advised to heed this warning.

“Government urges residents of the state to avoid dumping of wastes into river channels or drains to allow for easy flow of water, while illegal structures along water ways should be demolished,” he said.

Al-Amin said the ministry will on Monday launch some corrective measures to clear Ilorin, the state capital, of indiscriminate dumping of waste and blockage of drains as part of the efforts to ward off flooding.

He said offenders may be made to face mobile court after which they would be warned to desist from violating environmental laws.

News Agency Of Nigeria