The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management agency (LASEMA) on Thursday, August 15, 2024, held a workshop on flood response mechanism through proper waste management.
The workshop had the theme: “Harnessing Proper Waste Management and Flood Response Mechanism.”
The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, in her remarks, said Lagos State had experienced a series of floods and health challenges as a result of improper waste management.
Umar stressed the need for proper waste and flood preparedness for the well-being of communities and the environment.
She, however, decried the increasing challenges faced by improper waste disposal and the impact of flood on communities in the state.
“It is crucial to educate the public about the importance of responsible waste management practices and the preparedness for potential flooding,” she said.
Umar noted that improper waste disposal had triggered flood disaster and adverse health consequences in the past.
This, she said, led to damages of properties worth several millions of naira and several loss of lives.
“This could have been mitigated if we all stand up to challenge and come up with measures that will help continue to enlighten the people of Lagos State on proper waste management practices,” Umar said.
She said indiscriminate dumping of refuse could be reduced by minimising waste generation at source through sustainable practices and consumer education such as reuse, recycle and safe disposal of refuse.
“Let us remind us that what we do to the environment is what the environment does to us in return.
“It is, therefore, necessary to imbibe the culture and practice of proper waste management, ensure that the environment is kept clean at all times.
“This will avert the occurrence of flood disaster as the drainages will allow free flow of water.
“This challenge calls for concerted efforts on Disaster Risk Reduction and enhanced collaboration between emergency response providers at community, local, state and federal levels,” she said.
Umar urged all stakeholders to carry out activities that would safeguard the environment by ensuring proper clearing of drainages and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the organisation had responsibility for the development of loss prevention programmes and policies.
Oke-Osanyintolu said that the agency carries out its functions through the deployment of technology to mitigate against identified natural or manmade emergencies in the state.
According to him, LASEMA as the coordinating emergency body in the state, formulates policies in relation to facilities and prepares master plans to respond promptly to emergencies.
He said that LASEMA had the onerous task of driving Africa’s most populous state from emergency response into the 21st century with disaster risk reduction.
“The agency as part of its pre-flood preparations, has established monitoring stations to detect rising water levels and issue timely warnings as part of its early warning systems.
“Part of which is the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans, while raising awareness about flood risks, evacuation routes and safety measures through incessant public education.
“As part of preparedness, evacuation and safe relocation of victims from high-risk areas to designated shelter are a major part of the plan,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
He added that the agency had deployed trained search and rescue teams to assist stranded individuals with medical response teams to provide emergency care and first aid at IDP camps located at Agbowa and Igando.
He noted that the IDP camps are in constant states of readiness to receive all affected victims with provision of adequate supply of essential necessities.
“It is believed that this gathering will provide the needed flood response mechanism to enable communities minimise the impact of flooding,” he said.
The workshop drew different stakeholders across the state to deliberate on flood control through effective waste management.
Similarly, NEMA on Thursday, sensitised Benue stakeholders to proper waste management to mitigate impact of flood in the state.
Its Zonal Coordinator, Mr Eugene Nyelong, while declaring the workshop open in Makurdi, said it was aimed at addressing critical issues surrounding waste management.
Nyelong said the workshop was to educate relevant stakeholders on proper waste management to mitigate impact of flooding in the state.
He said flood had become an annual routine in some states of the country and that indiscreminent dumping of waste was one of the major factors behind it.
The cordinator explained that when waste is not properly disposed, it blocks water drainages, thereby causing flooding in areas that were not naturally flood prone.
“One of the important ways of flood mitigation is proper waste management, which the workshop is aimed at addressing.
“The production of waste is increasing at an alarming rate. This does not only pose environmental risk but also economic and social challenges through its negative impact.
“Waste management is an issue that touches every aspect of our lives, from the waste we produce at home to the industrial waste generated.
“How we handle this waste has significant implication on our health, our communities and our planet at large.”
According to him, improper waste management can lead to pollution, health hazards and depletion of natural resources.
“Effective waste management actions, ranging from waste reduction, re-use, and re-cycling, conserve resources, protect public health and prevent further degradation of the eco-system,” he said.
The cordinator said waste management was not just a technical issue but a societal one that required collective efforts from individuals, government and organisations.
He urged participants to be mindful of the actions they would be taking henceforth, in management of waste as they would have a lasting impact on future generations.
“Let us commit to being part of the solution, to innovating, educating and working together toward a cleaner, healthier, and more suitable environment, the said.
The General Manager, Benue Urban Development Board, Mr Terhemen Mende, said the board was working towards having Makurdi Drainage Master Plan to permanently address frequent flooding in the state capital.
Mende said houses built on waterways would be demolished, adding that the state government would provide all machineries for the exercise.
Also, the Acting Manager, Benue State Environmental Sanitation Authority (BENSSSEA) Mrs Jennifer Nashima, said the agency has adequately sensitised the people on proper waste management.
Nashima said those, who failed to do the right thing would be sanctioned.
NEMA before the workshop, carried out sensitisations to markets and other major places within the state capital.
By Emmanuel Antswen and Fabian Ekeruche
