The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has advised flood prone communities in Rivers state to be prepared for the looming flood that will affect some local government areas of state in November.
NEMA South-South Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Godwin Tepikor gave the advice while speaking at a closed-door meeting with the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo who represented the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON and council chairmen in Port Harcourt.
He noted that by the second week of November, the rains will be adverse and urged all persons in flood-prone communities to be prepared and move out to designated camps if need be.
In his remarks, the SSG said the parley was necessary in order to prepare for emergencies that may arise as a result of flood situations in the state, particularly considering the precarious position of Rivers State in the predictions of NiMET and its geological position at the bank of the Atlantic Ocean.
Danagogo informed the council Chairmen that, as Chief Security Officers of their localities, they must be proactive in facing and overcoming the challenges of their residents in the time of the flood.
He noted that NEMA, which has catalogued the diverse challenges of emergency management during floods, needs the collaboration of the councils who know their communities bette
Also speaking, Rivers Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon Emeka Onowu, acknowledged that IDP camps were being prepared for predicted areas that might be affected in the 2021 scientific weather report.
The affected local government areas include Port Harcourt, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Asari Toru, Akuku Toru, Etche, Eleme, Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Obio/Akpor, Khana, Oyigbo, Okrika, Tai, and Ogu/Bolo.
