The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has organized a one-day sensitisation programme for environmental stakeholders on flood prevention and waste management in Bauchi state.
Speaking during the programme on Tuesday, Mrs Ummunah Ahmed, Head of Operations, NEMA, Gombe Office, said that the sensitisation became necessary after the Nigerian Meteorology Agency’s prediction of possible flooding in some states and Local Government Areas across the country.
According to her, two LGAs in Bauchi states, Itas Gadau and Toro were listed among high-risk areas, while Seven others like Bauchi, Jama’are, Ganjuwa, Shira, Zaki, Warji and Katagum were listed in moderate-risk areas.
She affirmed that the objectives of the programme was to raise awareness about the importance of proper waste management practices in the communities and educate the public on the adverse effects of improper waste disposal on the environment and public health.
Ahmed added that the programme was to also promote proactive measures for flood preparedness and resilience in communities and to encourage behavioural change toward sustainable waste management practices and flood mitigation strategies.
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“Improper waste disposal has severe and far-reaching consequences on our environment, health and climate, hence the reason why experts on environmental issues have been invited to do justice to the given topic.
“As you are aware that flood is always associated with improper waste management, so we are enlightening you, creating awareness among you, so as to avoid flooding.
“If you look at our drainages and waterways, you will find out that they are all filled up with waste, so if we can clean and clear up our drainages, dispose our wastes properly, this is a good measure in avoiding flooding.
“I therefore urge you all to listen to expert presentations, advice and extend the same message to the grassroots,” she said.
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She also urged the people living in flood prone areas to move to safer grounds, adding that when there is flooding, people living in sloppy areas would be affected first.
Also, Mr Haruna Suleiman, Chief Environmental Health Officer, Bauchi state Ministry of Health, lauded NEMA for organising the programme, adding that the danger associated with improper waste disposal could not be overemphasised.
“We in the Ministry of Health and Primary Healthcare already have a structure which is the risk communication and community engagement where communities are engaged and sensitised on the importance of proper waste management and the effect of improper waste management to our health.
“We have so many structures in the communities that will help us in communicating this message in order to consider proper waste management as a vital tool in prevention and control of diseases and flooding.
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“I would like to advise other stakeholders to have structures at the community levels because community engagement is very critical in whatever you want people to do.
“Without a structure in the community where the community members are part of the implementing body, then there will be problems but you can easily achieve whatever you want to achieve if the community members are participating in your activities,” he said.
Some of the stakeholders in the programme included members from the Bauchi state Environmental Protection Agency, Bauchi state Environmental Management Agency, Ministry of Health and Environment.
Others included members from both the state and Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Army, the Police, traditional and religious leaders, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Orientation Agency, among others.
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