The Enugu state government has begun strengthening various measures to avoid erosion and the impending environmental crisis that the state is expected to face in the next two months.
It was then that the Nigerian Meteorological Service (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA) warned that floods would hit some parts of the state from low to high less risk. This was stated by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Chidiebere Onyia, on Friday in Enugu, during a meeting with stakeholders and task forces set up to assist the government in monitoring and mitigating the effects of floods.
While speaking to security personnel from various professional agencies in the state, such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA), Enugu State Ministry of Health. Enugu Capital Area Development Authority (ECTDA), Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Nigerian Red Cross, the Planning Authority, Chairpersons of relevant council areas, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), among others, SSG appealed to the residents warn against building. of construction on waterways, dumping of garbage and rubbish into drains and deliberate obstruction of waterways.
He said that the governor of the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, was concerned about the policy and immediately ordered the formation of officers to protect the lives and property of citizens to act not only to prevent environmental disasters, but also. to attract and implement sustainable policies and interventions in the future disaster. According to him: “The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in its seasonal weather forecast for 2023 has predicted that the onset of rains will worsen this year, and in many parts of the country.
“Enugu state is one of the states that are expected to receive prolonged rains and it is likely to receive 1300 to 2000 millimeters of rain this year. “Furthermore, the Nigerian Water Management Agency, in its annual flood monitoring, has listed Enugu state among the 224 local governments that fall under flood prone areas.
“Floods are one of the most devastating natural disasters in the world and often threaten lives, property, the economy and the environment. Following this issue, the Governor of Enugu state considered it very important to establish a group of workers responsible for water distribution, clearing waste, clearing waterways and identifying houses built on waterways. And when we discover these buildings; to do important things. “This should be an emergency preparedness for floods in 2023 and beyond. For this reason, we are all invited to this first meeting to propose the army that will be authorized to start work immediately in the state the body. “A letter was written to us, clearly stating the dangers in Enugu state. That is why the presidents of the affected communities are here today. We are also trying to find a way to not lose our citizens.
Professor Onyia further called on members of the public to cooperate with the officers in carrying out legal duties, identifying houses along the waterfront, removing illegal constructions and obstructed waterways, adding that enforcement of building regulations, sanitary judgments, environmental reactions will be reduced. the negative effects of erosion, prevent water-borne diseases and protect people’s lives. The secretary of the newly formed group, Mrs. Chinasa Mbah, lamented that the state is suffering from severe erosion as floods are destroying livelihoods.
He said the state could experience heavy rains by the end of December, urging residents to be careful in how they dispose of garbage, manage the environment and build houses. “Our thinking about the environment must change. People have built in places that cause erosion against warning. Some of these buildings have collapsed and we are entering only heavy rains in our state,” he added.
Some of the local governments that have major flood problems include, Enugu East, Enugu South, Enugu North, Nkanu East, Nsukka, Udi, Ezeagu, Nkanu West, Igboeze North, Igboeze South, Igbo-Etiti, Oji River, Uzo Uwani , Food, Awgu, Main Road, and others.
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