September 12, 2024

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

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Breaking News

1 Group uses drama to tackle child marriage in Abuja community

2 Why gas flaring persists in Nigeria – Expert

3 Enhance $700m SURWASH programme implementation, FG tells states

4 Tinubu’ll land Nigeria safely from turbulence- Akume

5 Stakeholders seek multi-sectoral approach to nutrition outcomes

Gender , Health

Group uses drama to tackle child marriage in Abuja community

By Angela Atabo

A group, Girl Child Values Support Initiative has adopted drama as a strategy to combat child marriage in Dafara community of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Its Executive Director, Ms Precious Wakili, stated this during one of the drama sessions to sensitise members of the community in Kuje Area Council of the FCT, against child marriage.

The drama session, organised with support from HET ActieFonds, was designed to address the menace of child marriage in communities.

The compelling community drama vividly portrayed the harmful effects of child marriage on young girls.

The drama drew the attention of the community members to the serious risks associated with child marriage, including the physical, emotional, and psychological toll it takes on young girls.

Wakili explained that the organisation adopted the use of drama to communicate the realities of child marriage and spark a meaningful conversation within the Dafara community.

“Child marriage has a lot of consequences, especially on the reproductive health of young girls.

“Child marriage doesn’t just rob girls of their childhood; it puts their health and future at severe risk.

“I urge you to consider the dangers posed to the physical and mental well-being of girls forced into marriage at an early age,” she said.

She encouraged parents to prioritise the education of their daughters, describing it as the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and achieving gender equality in communities.

According to her, the campaign marked a significant step in the fight against child marriage, a practice that has remained prevalent in many parts of Nigeria.

“Through continued effort and support from partners like HET ActieFonds, more communities will take up the mantle, in the fight to end child marriage.

“Girl Child Values Support Initiative and our partners will ensure that every girl child is empowered to live her life to the fullest potential.”

Some of the community members at the sensitisation campaign expressed commitment to champion the cause to end child marriage.

They pledged to begin a movement that seeks to secure the future of the girl-child, free from the dangers of early marriage.

One of them, Malam Safiyanu Sani, an Imam in the community, expressed a strong stance against child marriage, and promised to use his platform to advocate for change.

Sani equally promised to continue to encourage parents and caregivers to protect their daughters by ensuring that they have access to quality education instead of early marriage.

Also, the Women Leader of the community, Mrs Munsirat Lawal, commended the NGO for the initiative to prevent child marriage in communities.

Lawal, who acknowledged the prevalence of child marriage in Dafara community, expressed optimism that the awareness campaign would help the community to turn over a new leaf. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai

Economy/Business

Group drums support for FG’s plan to privatise refineries

By Joan Nwagwu

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI), has expressed support for plans by the Federal Government  to engage private firms to operate Warri and Kaduna refineries when they come on stream.

Mr Niyi Akinsiju, Chairman of IMPI said this while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said  that removal of subsidy on petroleum products was what was needed at this time to rescue the country’s economy.

He appealed to Nigerians, especially the leadership of the organised labour to beam attention to governance at the state and local governments levels,  where more resources are now being  allocated.

He  said that the group was in support of the plan by the government to engage the private sector in the management of the two  refineries presently undergoing rehabilitation.

According to him, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL),  recently invited companies to bid for operations and maintenance deals for the two  refineries.

In a public notice on its official X handle, the national oil company explained that the move will help ensure reliability and energy security for the country.

Akinsuji said that under the prevailing economic circumstances, the government has no business in the petroleum refining business.

“The refining business is a highly specialised form of venture. I think about two weeks ago, we saw a publication by the NNPCL requesting companies which have capacity to manage the refineries to apply.

“When those refineries are fully rehabilitated and delivered it will be naive for the government to still insist that products of the refineries should be sold at subsidised price,”he said.

He said that it was the policy of subsidy that killed the domestic refineries in the past.

According to him,the petroleum refinery produces so many bi-products other than petrol  which can help turn around the country’s economy for better.

He said the fact that a poll showed over 73 per cent of Nigerians opposing the policy of deregulation, does not diminish its potency as the only viable option to  ensure our economic recovery.

“In spite of the common knowledge that fuel subsidies were excluded from the second half of the 2023 budget, about 73 per cent of Nigerians interviewed in an opinion poll said they were dissatisfied with the removal.

“Nonetheless, this does not detract from the fact that fuel subsidies have become Nigeria’s equivalent of an economic weapon of mass destruction,” he said.

On  the skyrocketing prices of goods and services in the country,  especially food stuff, Akinsuji said that the situation cannot be attributed to a single factor alone.

According to him, a combination of factors such as insecurity, currency floating and low production capacity are  responsible for the present food crisis.

He  said that the allusion that the removal of fuel subsidy had led to the current food crisis may not be entirely correct.

He said that the group’s findings showed that fuel, also known as Premium Motor Spirit, constitutes an insignificant proportion to the cost elements affecting prices of goods in the country.

Akinsuyi said that the depreciation of the country’s currency has made our products  cheaper and more attractive to our neighbours, thereby, causing scarcity of such products.

“We should understand that no single factor is responsible for the rising cost of products in the country.

“In the case of rice, it is about insecurity, it is as a matter of fact the after effects of the devaluation of our national currency which has made our products cheaper.

“This has attracted high patronage from our West African neighbours who come to Nigeria to purchase rice,”he said.(NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Economy/Business

FG committed to independence of auditor-general’s office – Tinubu

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

President Bola Tinubu has expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to enhance the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAuGF) for effective service delivery.

Tinubu, who was represented by Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said this on Wednesday in Abuja, at the public presentation of the OAuGF Strategic Plan 2024 -2028.

The president said that one of his administration’s goals was to enhance the independence of the OAuGF and empower it to perform its mandate seamlessly, towards deterring and detecting corruption in public institutions.

“Nigeria must win the fight against corruption. It is an existential problem that requires that all hands are on deck, in collaboration to ensure success.

“This is to ensure that the resources of the nation are deployed for the well-being of the present generation without hindering the aspirations of future generations of Nigerians,” he said.

He commended the OAuGF for developing a five-year strategic plan to promote public accountability and transparency in federal ministries, departments and agencies.

“The strategic plan has taken cognizance of the National Anti-Corruption strategy 2022 to 2026 action plan, which will ensure that endemic corruption is tackled head on.

“I am aware of the administrative and financial constraints faced by the OAuGF.

“I want to assure you that all necessary legislative processes will soon be concluded on the Federal Audit Service Bill, which is now before the Senate.

“I will not hesitate to sign it into law. This will underscore my determination to ensure the independence of this institution,” he said.

The AuGF, Mr Shaakaa Chira, said that the strategic plan was designed to contribute to the Federal Government’s agenda to stem the tide of corruption.

Chira said that it would also help to reduce waste and revenue leakages to the barest minimum, as well as guard against diversion of public resources.

“It will help to improve governance by holding public office holders accountable without fear or favour, through the delivery of high quality and timely audit reports,” he said.

Chira said that the plan would achieve an enhanced independence and mandate of the OAuGF and reduce mismanagement of public funds through stronger follow-up of audit recommendations.

He said that the strategic plan would also help to improve financial reporting in the public sector and present the OAuGF as a model institution.

“Let me assure you that OAuGF will ensure full implementation of the goals encapsulated in the strategic plan.

“We will put in place measures that will ensure a cultural shift and a new orientation in the way the management and staff of the OAuGF perform their roles,” he said.

He called for a truly independent OAuGF and an enhanced budgetary allocation to the office.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives, Rep. Bamidele Salam, commended the OAuGF for putting the strategic plan together.

Salam said that the office, which was vacant for about one year, had started living up to expectations.

“The office of OAuGF was vacant for more than one year, and there are deficits in the submission of annual reports.

“We were dealing with the 2019 report in 2024, but he has now submitted the 2020 report and part of the 2021 report.

“Audit work is one of the most difficult jobs anyone can be called upon to do in Nigeria because there is a lot of resistance,” he said.

Salam said that the OAuGF should always ensure that scarce resources are put to the best of use.

“We are operating a budget where we use 75 per cent of our revenue to service debt.

“The question is, to what extent has the debt impacted the quality of life of the average Nigerian?

“The government is asking ordinary Nigerians to make sacrifices. What are the political elite doing to also shed some of their weights?

“The only way to ensure that is through an effective audit system. Both the pre-expenditure and post-expenditure audit are important,” he said.

He called for a truly independent Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. (NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Health

FCTA, GAIN sign MoU on access to affordable, nutritious food

By Justina Auta

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) have signed an MoU to improve access to affordable, safe and nutritious food in the FCT.

Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister, while signing the documents on Tuesday in Abuja, said the initiative would boost sustainable development and address issues around food insecurity, as well as improve the health systems of the people.

Wike, who was represented by Mr Chidi Amadi, his Chief of Staff, said: “there is no better time to have this than now when we have issues of malnutrition.

“Today is not just a mere show but the collaborative efforts we just endorsed will translate to useful results, dividends that will reflect in the lives of people in the FCT, especially those in area councils.

“We enjoin you to ensure that all that needs to be done in the campaign to drive this process are put in place.

“Improving nutrition is very key especially now that food scarcity has become a serious challenge in our country.”

Mr Ubokutom Nyah, Mandate Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public-Private Partnership (EPRGPPP) said the partnership would strengthen value chains, empower primary-schools with nutritious food and improve food security.

“This MoU will pave the way for interventions that have long-term benefits for the health and well-being of our pupil’s and residents, especially those who are below the pyramid.

”It will improve access to fortified foods, enhanced nutrition education and the development of sustainable agricultural practices.

“It will also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to zero hunger, good health and economic growth,” he said.

Dr Michael Ojo, Country Director, GAIN, said the three-year plan would foster a healthier food environment, reduce malnutrition and promote sustainable food systems for improved food security, access to safe, affordable and nutritious food.

“The multidimensional index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in 2022 highlights that the FCTA is the 11th least poor region of government in Nigeria ranking by states.

“This means that there are 10 other states that are doing better than the FCTA, when you look at what constitutes multidimensional poverty in the FCT, nutrition is the biggest component.

“I think it is appropriate that we are looking at this as a major problem and we are supporting the FCTA to deal with it.

“If we are able to design projects and programmes that tackle some of the underlying causes of malnutrition then we hope to see the health status of FCT residents improve,” he said.

Ojo explained that the key areas of collaboration include building capacity on project management, advocacy and resource mobilisation, and promoting the adoption of biofortified crop varieties to address malnutrition.

Others are support to the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP), implementing human-centred design approaches in social protection programmes and strengthening food safety measures and nutrition-related policies. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Science & Tech

FG reiterates support to advance traditional medicine

Tolu Aiyegbusi

The Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has expressed readiness to support the advancement of traditional medicine in the country.

The Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Mr Uche Nnaji, stated this on Monday, at a one-day dialogue on re-thinking natural medicine, held in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the meeting was “Support the Provision of Quality and Safe Traditional Medicine through Appropriate Regulatory Mechanisms.”

The event was organised by the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA).

Nnaji, who reiterated the Federal Government’s dedication to supporting and strengthening local industries, highlighted their crucial role in driving economic growth and development.

He emphasised that traditional medicine played a major role in people’s life and national development, adding however, that the innovation was still low, hence the need for support.

“The Federal Government is committed to the growth of local content and industries, so the ministry will give its support to the development of the sector.

“Our support will improve industrialisation so that resources such as traditional medicine knowledge, products and technology can be transformed into innovative and commercialised products,” he said

The minister promised to collaborate with the agency, particularly in product research funding and training, among other possible partnerships.

The Director-General, NNMDA, Prof. Martins Emeje, said that medical science had made incredible advances all over the globe, especially in traditional medicine.

Emeje, therefore, called for public and private support to promote traditional medicine in Nigeria like the rest of the world.

The NNMDA D-G said that the inclusion of traditional herbal medicine in clinical practice would also help to achieve health for all.

“The traditional medicine sub-sector holds the master key to the much-desired future of Nigeria’s healthcare delivery and economic greatness.

“With its associated bio-resources, it is a strategic sector that can be used as a tool for the overall development of the country, starting from the natural improvement of health.

“Also, traditional medicine simulates small and medium scale agro-business, small scale product industries in health, raw materials and a feedstock to the global knowledge economy in research and product development,” Emeje said.

He said that in recent years, research on African traditional/herbal medicine had been increasing clinical trials and research by public or private researchers across the world.

“Africa has a great pool of diverse medicinal plant sources, as well as a long and well characterised traditional medicinal system.

“Also, modern technology and techniques have revolutionised the progression of drug discovery from medicinal plants and have become an essential tool to monitor and maintain the quality of traditional formulation, and mechanism for its formulation,’’ he added.

Dr Merlin Wilcox, a Principal Research Fellow at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom, called for the government’s support to research and development of traditional medicines.

This, according to him, will enable citizens to enjoy its benefits.

“However, scientific evidence is needed to support the provision of safe and quality medicine to the citizens.

“The government needs to strengthen policies that will make it more presentable and available in dosages,’’ he said.

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Kadiri Abdulrahman

General News

Communal conflicts: Benue communities sign peace accord

By Angela Atabo

Some communities plagued by communal conflicts in Benue State, have signed a peace accord to  promote peaceful coexistence.

The communities, including Ologba and Egba in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) and Tivs and Jukuns in Fiidi, Makurdi LGA, in Makurdi, embraced peace and reached a truce to prevent returning to conflict.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conflict, which lasted for more than a decade, was over ownership of natural resources such as fish ponds and farm lands.

The peace agreement was facilitated by International Alert, an NGO, in partnership with Angel Support Foundation, Kende Aveese Foundation, and local community-based organisations, as part of the ‘Powering Peace through Climate Action Project’.

Dr Paul Nyulaku-Bemshima, Country Director of International Alert, said the organisation had been working with marginalised and divided communities to increase access to knowledge and trust through dialogue and cooperation.

Nyulaku-Bemshima said that the move was necessary to end the lingering crisis in Benue communities over natural resources, exacerbated by climate change and ethnicity.

“We are excited about the peace agreement signing ceremony between Tivs and Jukuns in Fiidi and Ogba, Ologba, and Ekaida in Agatu.

“These communities have undergone a long process of dialogue and negotiations on conflict issues.

“The conflicts are fundamentally over land, water, and fish ponds.

“We ensured participatory processes, and they have developed local peace and adaptation plans to address climate change impacts, build social cohesion, and increase income.”

Mr Sunday Jimoh, Project Manager at International Alert, said the empowerment projects included training and establishment of briquette making factories, provision of industrial-level fish kiln machines, and installation of solar-powered industrial boreholes.

Mr Joseph Har, Special Adviser on Security to the Governor of Benue, commended International Alert and urged the communities to maintain the agreement.

“I am going to ensure that these items are handed over to the chairman who is the chief security officer of the local government to take care of these things to ensure that they are not tempered with.

“We are happy that this has happened during our time, we are having peace at this magnitude during our time and we can’t trade it for anything,” Har said.

Ms Josephine Habba, Director General of Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, said the peace agreement marked a significant milestone towards lasting peace.

“In prioritising livelihood for peace, we should recognise that it is an endorsement for development and a promotion of peaceful coexistence among communities.

“The project encourages entrepreneurship with a focus on peaceful values and conflict resolution. This is a successful climate action in promoting peace,’’ she said

Community members, including Ada Agatu Godwin Onah, Chief Zaki Gwaza, and Mr Toundo Japhet, applauded International Alert for resolving their crisis and empowering them with entrepreneurship skills and equipment.

They acknowledged that prior to the projects, they could not relate well or cross each other’s communities, but now peace had been restored. (NAN)

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki and Abiemwense Moru

Economy/Business

FG grants UTM Offshore licence for 2.8m tonnes floating LNG facility

By Lucy Ogalue

The Federal Government has granted UTM Offshore Limited a licence to construct a 2.8 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) Floating Liquefied Natural Gas facility.

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperipe Ekpo, said this during the issuance of the licence to the company in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, presented the licence to the company.

According to Ekpo, this licence marks a historic milestone as it will be the first floating LNG facility in Nigeria, aimed at boosting the country’s gas production and utilisation.

“This is in line with the mission of President Bola Tinubu to grow gas production, distribution, and utilisation.

“In line with the Decade of Gas Initiative, we are looking at gas driving the economy of this nation come 2030. We are going to achieve that.

” I salute NMDPRA for due diligence, and I salute the CEO of UTM LNG, for the bold step him and his team have taken to bring to work what we are going to celebrate today.

“I believe that after this presentation and celebration, all other things that need to be done to make sure the dream of today is realised tomorrow will be done,” he said.

Ekpo said that  the Federal Government was committed to providing a conducive environment that would ensure realisation of its dream of increasing gas production to 12 billion cubic feet by 2030.

Earlier , the NMDPRA Chief Executive said that the project,  located offshore Akwa Ibom State in OML 104, would process 324 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of natural gas.

Ahmed said that the project, initially designed for a capacity of 1.2 MTPA, UTM Offshore upgraded the facility’s scope to meet rising global LNG demand, resulting in the increased capacity of 2.8 MTPA.

According to him,  the project aligns with the main aspirations of the PIA 2021, which includes the expansion of Midstream Gas Facilities in Nigeria.

” It also aligns with the targets of the Decade of Gas Programme and other Gas Expansions projects of the current administration.

“It is projected to be commissioned in the year 2028. The products from the project include LNG, LPG, and condensate,” he said.

Ahmed reaffirmed the NMDPRA’s commitment to providing guidance and oversight for the project’s successful implementation while also ensuring it complied with all regulatory requirements throughout its lifecycle.

Responding , the Managing Director, UTM Offshore, Julius Rone, thanked Tinubu and the NMDPRA for their support in ensuring the issuance of the licence..

Rone said that this project had a capacity to bring into the domestic market 500,000 metric tonnes of LPG to support the domestic market per annum.

“Nigeria requires over two million tons per annum, so we are importing LPG for the domestic market, and everybody is paying expensive prices for LPG.

“We are not going to export it. We are going to use it to support the domestic market; it will reduce the pressure on forex and will drastically reduce the price of cooking gas,” said.

According to him, the first gas supply from the multi-billion Naira project is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2029. (NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Foreign , Metro

Wike signs MoU with Chinese companies on electricity, water supply

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese corporations to improve electricity and water supply in the territory.

Wike disclosed this in a statement signed by Mr Anthony Ogunleye, Director of Press, Office of the Minister, issued in Abuja on Sunday.

The minister said that the MoU was signed in Beijing, China, on Saturday, with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and the China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction (CGCOC) Group.

He said that the MoU was signed on the sideline of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to China, to attend the Asian country’s Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in Beijing.

He disclosed that Tinubu pushed for the projects at the summit, as part of his agenda to renew the hope of Abuja residents on the government, through execution of people-oriented projects.

Wike assured that the projects would be completed in 2025 and would be inaugurated as parts of activities to celebrate FCT’s 50 Anniversary.

On electricity, Wike said: “One key project which is very dear to us and one of the reasons why we are here today is to light up Abuja.

“We want Abuja to be like other cities, like what we see in Beijing. We have gone round, and we have seen light everywhere; that is how we want Abuja to be.

“Therefore, the whole area of Maitama; the whole area of Asokoro, Wuse, Central Business District, and Airport Road, down to Bill Clinton Drive will be handled by CCECC, while CGCOC Group would handle the districts of Mabushi, Katampe and Garki.

From Left: Chairman, CGCOC Group, Mr Lan Meizhong; FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike signing an MOU in Beijing, for the provision of water to rural areas in the FCT, while Executive Director, FCT Rural Water and Sanitation Agency RUWASA, Dr Mohamed Dan Hassan looks on.

“On the need to equally ensure water supply in the satellite areas of the FCT, we are keeping up with the idea that there is a need to have satellite town water supply in Gwagwalada, Kwali and Kuje as directed by Tinubu.

“We have now signed the MoU with CGCOC Group for them to carry out this assignment.”

Wike further said that the Greater Abuja Water Works, being handled by CGCOC Group, had reached 75 per cent completion and expressed confidence that it would be completed in December 2024.

While thanking Tinubu for granting the FCT Administration approval for the projects, the Minister urged the CGCOC Group to ensure quick delivery of the project.

This, according to him, would ensure that water supply in satellite towns becomes a reality.

In their separate remarks, the President of CCECC, Mr Chen Sichang and the Chairman of CGCOC Group, Mr Lan Meizhong, thanked Wike for the confidence bestowed on the companies to deliver the projects.

They assured the minister of quality and timely delivery of the projects.

On the Minister’s entourage were the Permanent Secretary, Treasury, Alhaji Adamu Wanki; Executive Director, Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, Dr Mohammed Dan Hassan; Director of Procurement, Alhaji Musa Idris; and other senior officials of the FCTA. (NAN)

Edited by Benson Iziama and Abiemwense moru

Economy/Business

FG conducts clearance operation on illegal mining site in Kogi

By Martha Agas

The Federal Government has conducted a clearance operation at an illegal mining site in the Jaguna community of Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi.

Solid minerals development minister Dele Alake, in a statement by his media aide, Segun Tomori, said that the exercise was part of efforts to combat illegal mining and sanitise the sector.

He said that Mining Marshalls, a special security unit established to secure mining sites, recently conducted the clearance operation to enforce compliance to the government’s directive for the miners to vacate the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the minister, on July 19, stated that an operation was conducted in the community to dislodge the armed illegal miners.

According to the minister, Jaguna, an area surrounded by forest, was raided by the mining marshals, resulting in the arrest of seven suspected illegal gold miners.

“Labourers on-site were given a directive to vacate the area within five days.

“Instead of complying, the miners mobilised additional workers and fortified the site with armed protection.

“The illegal miners also ignored appeals from traditional rulers and other community leaders to vacate the site to allow licensed mineral titleholders unhindered access to the area for legitimate operations.

“Their activities have prevented lawfully authorised miners from accessing the area covering four cadastral units, for 16 years.

“Reports indicate that the nefarious activities have gone unhindered for more than 20 years,” the statement said.

It added that the situation necessitated the latest follow-up operation by the mining marshals.

“For over 16 years, the rightful mining license holders have been unable to access the location due to the activities of armed illegal miners.

“Acting on intelligence reports suggesting that the illegal operators had remained defiant, the Mining Marshals, last week, stormed the site, neutralised resistance from the armed gangs, and successfully cleared the area,” it added.(NAN)

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

Environment , Metro

Flood: NEMA raises alert of possible hazards in 7 states

By Philomina Attah

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised states in the central and southern parts of the country to prepare for potential floods that would soon affect downstream communities.

The states, according to NEMA, include Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa.

NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, disclosed this in a statement by the Head of Press Unit, Mr Manzo Ezekiel, in Abuja.

She said that the alert followed the recent flood that impacted many communities across some states and the rising water levels in River Benue and River Niger.

“The advice has become imperative to activate the state, local government authorities and communities to take necessary actions to mitigate against the risk of flooding.

“It is also important to avoid the scale of losses recorded so far in areas that have been impacted.

“Such areas have suffered misfortune including loss of lives, displacement of communities, and significant damage to property and infrastructures,” Umar said.

She listed some of the actions to be taken to include immediate clearing of blocked drainages, constructing temporary flood barriers, and evacuating from flood plains to safe higher grounds.

The D-G advised communities to stay informed through weather updates and flood warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

“Residents are advised to avoid crossing flooded areas, relocate from flood-prone zones, and cooperate with local emergency services,” she said.

Umar said that NEMA was working closely with state emergency management agencies and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that necessary support, including rescue and relief operations, were available to affected communities.

She said that the  collaboration with  relevant  stakeholders was through the National Emergency Operations Centre situated in the agency’s headquarters.

She emphasised the importance of early action and community vigilance.

“We urge all residents, especially in vulnerable areas, to heed our warnings and take immediate preventive measures to safeguard lives and property.

“Preparedness is key to reducing the impact of flooding,” Umar said. (NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

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