The National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) says heavier rains are imminent in? the South-West Zone of the country and this may result in flooding.
Mr Iyiola? Akande, the Zonal? Coordinator of? NEMA in the South-West,? gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Osogbo.
Speaking shortly before the commencement of? a sensitisation programme organised by the agency, Akande said states in the zone should? put in place measures to combat flooding.
He recalled that following the prediction of NIMET before the rains, NEMA had reached out to the states through sensitisation programmes on the need to prepare for the down pour.
To ensure strict compliance with environmental rules and regulations, the Director General of? NEMA,? Alhaji? Muhammed? Sidi,? had directed that another sensitisation programme be held.
“ The rains are now coming in torrents with resultant effects of flooding, an indication that the state governments should take the prediction seriously by curbing it.
‘’The DG has directed that this sensitisation programme should be carried out to educate the people and let government authorities perform their civic responsibilities to the people by widening and dredging rivers and streams.
“ People should also desist from dumping refuse in rivers and water ways as well as stay away from riversides in the event of flooding to prevent loss of lives,’’ he said.
NEMA also called on town planning authorities and similar agencies to ensure? strict compliance with laid down rules and regulations? in order to keep the environment clean and safe.