NOA advises residents of flood-prone areas to seek alternative in Plateau

Dabit, who led the team that visited the area, recalled the massive human and material losses in the 2012 flood, and expressed regret that the people had returned to the flood-prone settlements, saying, “just because the floods did not occur this year, you must leave this place as quickly as possible; we must be proactive […]

Dabit, who led the team that visited the area, recalled the massive human and material losses in the 2012 flood, and expressed regret that the people had returned to the flood-prone settlements, saying, “just because the floods did not occur this year, you must leave this place as quickly as possible; we must be proactive and prevent losses rather than wait and become objects of pity.”
Dabit told members of the community that losses incurred in the past may never be regained, but advised the people to move and start new lives elsewhere rather than wait to become just part of data of victims of flood.
Dabit, who spoke with newsmen shortly after conferring with leaders and members of Lalin community, said he was compelled to meet the people to avoid the worse in future, adding, “water is paramount to life but in Lalin, water has been the source of disasters; we do not want a repeat of what happened in 2012.”
He advised the people to relocate to temporary abodes while government was seeking out a better and most lasting and permanent alternative settlement.
On his part, Plateau State Commissioner for Environment, Mr John Daduut, who also spoke with newsmen in Lalin, lamented the destruction by floods over time, and pledged his ministry’s commitment to ending the scourge. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to securing alternative accommodation for the people, but said that they must, in the interim, seek alternative places.
He advised the residents to seek alternative accommodation “especially since water will not listen to any explanation before wreaking havoc.”
Daduut cautioned the people against assuming that the floods would never come again, stressing that they must pursue safety by staying away.
In his remarks, the village head of Lalin, Mr Twangshik Yitni, said the visit was confirmation that government was still concerned about the plight of the people.
He, however, regretted that not much had been done to his people after many promises, and urged the NOA chief and the environment commissioner to help them.
The village head appealed to government to empower the indigenes of Lalin so that they could find alternative places to re-settle.