NEMA advises Edo flood-prone residents to relocate upland as River Niger rises

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Edo State office has issued a riot act to residents living at the bank of the River Niger in the state to relocate to higher grounds.

DAILY POST reports that the Head of Benin Operation Office, Kenoma Ojuederie gave the charge during the customers week celebration in Benin City.

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

According to him, 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 floods are going to come due to the release of water from dams.

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

He added that the customers’ week was to appreciate people in emergency management who are victims of disasters and stakeholders.

Earlier, the Edo State Executive Secretary, State Management Agency, SEMA, Jerry Idahosa, explained that the water is already rising, but there is no cause for alarm yet.

Idahosa opined that following the water rising, the state government has put the local management committee on red alert so that communities are not caught in the impending flood.

He explained that the state had planned relocation of residents as soon as the flood came, as the state emergency team were already on the ground.

“We have put measures on the ground to carry out the evacuation of people to the camp when the need arises, but we are still watching, and there is no cause for alarm,” he stated.