Flood: Nigeria's emergency management agency wants movement of aged, children restricted

Business Day (Nigeria): The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for restriction of the movement of children and old people to prevent them from being swept away by flood this year. Iyiola Akande, NEMA’s South-West Zonal coordinator, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that Lagos and other coastal communities would record much flooding, saying the flooding would have devastating effect, if not well managed.

“No doubt, there will be much volume of flooding in Lagos and other coastal communities this rainy season due to the effects of climate change. We should, therefore, in our individual and collective ways, be proactive and be prepared in the management and reduction of flood-related emergencies,’’ he said.

The NEMA official further said that preparedness was the key to mitigating effects of flooding, calling for collaboration between individuals, communities, organisations and governments in building flood-risk reduction preparedness and mitigation measures.

Akande said the state ministries of the environment and physical planning should embark on demolition of structures built on drains and flood plains.

“It should be the responsibility of all, especially the relevant government agencies, to ensure that structures blocking free flow of water are urgently removed before the rainfall’s peak period. We have to prepare for the worst, and this needs commitment,’’ he stated....