Flood: Move to higher ground, NEMA tells Edo communities

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has charged residents living on the bank of the River Niger in Edo State to relocate to higher ground, following the rising water level. NEMA’s Head of Benin Operation Office, Mr Kenoma Ojuederie, gave the charge during the customers’ week celebration in Edo State. He said the charge became […]

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has charged residents living on the bank of the River Niger in Edo State to relocate to higher ground, following the rising water level.

NEMA’s Head of Benin Operation Office, Mr Kenoma Ojuederie, gave the charge during the customers’ week celebration in Edo State.

He said the charge became necessary following the rising level of water on the River Niger and to avoid loss of lives.

“Before now, we have done sensitisation and awareness campaigns to communities in flood-prone areas to get prepared and move to higher ground.

“From now on, we are expecting the flood because water has been released from some dams, and the flood will come due to the release of water from the dams. 

“So, as part of measures to avoid casualties, we advised the residents to move to higher ground, while those in areas where there is IDP camps should move there and the state government would cater for those in the camp,” he said.

On his part, the Executive Secretary, State Management Agency (SEMA), Jerry Idahosa, noted that the water is already rising, but there is no cause for alarm yet.

He said the local management committee had been put on red alert so that communities would not be caught in the impending flood.