EKSEMA, NEMA SENSITISE TRADITIONAL RULERS ON FLOOD PREVENTION

 

The Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency (EKSEMA), in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has sensitised traditional rulers across the state on measures to prevent and mitigate flooding.

The programme focused on flood mitigation and disaster risk reduction strategies aimed at strengthening the capacity of traditional institutions to educate and mobilise residents on preventive measures.

Speaking during the engagement, the General Manager of EKSEMA, Mr Oludare Asaolu, described flooding as one of the most recurrent natural disasters affecting communities across the country.

Asaolu attributed the increasing incidence of flooding to heavy rainfall, blocked drainage systems, indiscriminate waste disposal and the effects of climate change.

He said these factors posed serious threats to lives, property and critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, farmlands and public facilities.

According to him, Ekiti had recorded cases of flash floods, erosion and the destruction of homes and farmlands in various communities, stressing that no community was entirely free from flood risks.

The EKSEMA boss emphasised the strategic role of traditional rulers as custodians of their communities, noting that their influence could be harnessed to educate and mobilise residents on flood prevention and disaster preparedness.

He urged the monarchs to promote proper waste disposal, regular clearing of drainage channels and waterways, environmental sanitation and tree planting in their communities.

Asaolu also advised them to support the establishment of Local Emergency Management Committees and ensure that early warning signs, including flooding, erosion and infrastructure failure, were promptly reported to the relevant authorities.

He urged the traditional rulers to use palace meetings, community forums, religious gatherings and youth groups to sustain public enlightenment on disaster preparedness, while ensuring adequate attention to vulnerable persons during emergencies.

In his remarks, the Owa Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, urged his colleagues to use weather forecast applications on their mobile devices to monitor climatic conditions and receive early warnings.

He cautioned residents against dumping waste in waterways or building on waterways and road setbacks.

The monarch also called on the state government to prioritise the construction and channelisation of drainage systems during the dry season to reduce the risk of flooding.

Oba Adewole commended the Ekiti State Government, under Gov. Biodun Oyebanji, for its proactive approach to disaster management and timely provision of relief materials to affected communities.

Other traditional rulers at the engagement included the Oore of Otun-Ekiti, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo; Olupoti of Ipoti-Ekiti, Oba Kolade Oladipupo; and Elemure of Emure-Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Ajiboye, among others.