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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in conjunction with Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other stakeholders on Friday, organized a one-day awareness campaign and roadshow in Ado-Ekiti.

Ekiti News reports that the campaign was aimed at raising public awareness about proper waste management and mobilizing citizens for flood preparedness.

The NEMA DG, represented by the agency’s Head Operations in Ekiti and Ondo states, Mr Kofoworola Sholeye, said that proper waste disposal and flood preparedness are crucial for community well-being and environmental health.

Umar stated that improper waste disposal leads to flood disasters and has adverse health consequences, often resulting in significant property damage and loss of life.

The NEMA DG said, “This initiative is to sensitize and create awareness among Ekiti people about the expected heavy rainfalls predicted by the Seasonal Climate Predictions, Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Annual Flood Outlook that listed Ekiti among the states that would likely experience heavy rainfall and potential flooding this year.

“Flooding and the attendant losses could be mitigated “if all stakeholders stand up to the challenges and come up with the measures that would help to enlighten the people of Ekiti State on proper waste management, as many have cultivated the habit of indiscriminate dumping of refuse over the years.

“It is necessary always to promote and carry out activities that would safeguard our environment by ensuring the rapid enlightenment of the general public on the need to desist from dumping refuse indiscriminately.”

Umar praised the dedication of Ekiti SEMA and other disaster management agencies in the state for their efforts. She assured that NEMA is committed to maintaining its collaboration with the Ekiti State Government to find long-term and sustainable solutions to both natural and human-induced disasters.

Mr. Abayomi Opeyemi, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Deputy Governor, in his goodwill message urged citizens to strictly adhere to state environmental laws by avoiding the indiscriminate dumping of waste and the construction of structures on riverbanks and floodplains.

Also speaking, Mr. Oludare Asaolu, the General Manager of SEMA, expressed gratitude to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their initiatives and collaborative efforts to prevent flooding and its associated destruction of lives and properties in the state this year, following the NiMet advice.

The SEMA boss commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for approving funds for the dredging of waterways in high-risk zones across the state to prevent flooding and its risks to lives and properties, even before NiMet’s weather forecasts identified the state as expecting heavy rainfall in the third quarter of the year.

He noted that the governor’s proactive measures last year prevented massive flooding in the state despite heavy rainfall.

In his address, Mr Olasunkami Onipede, the Director General of Ekiti State Waste Management Board, urged residents to properly dispose of their waste at all times.

Onipede noted that the state government had placed Dino bins at strategic locations in the state capital for easy disposal and collection of waste.

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