By Bisola Adeyemo
Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) predicts intensive rainfall in Niger coastal communities, while advising the residents evacuate the area to safer ground.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Director-General, Alhaji Ahmed Inga, advised Minna yesterday.
He said the warning became necessary following the listing of the state by NiMET among those to experience intensive rainfall between August and September.
He said those managing dams had also notified the agency on the rising water levels across state and enjoined communities in flood-prone areas to be on alert.
“Alhaji Ahmed was quoted by the nation saying “the agency has identified safer ground for easy evacuation if need be and we have mobilised all first responders from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies for emergency evacuation and response,” he said.
Inga added that it was important to direct resources towards proactive strategies than to response efforts, which not only consumes money but lives and property.
According to him, the agency had embarked on community sensitisation across the state in collaboration with traditional institutions, relevant ministries, National Orientation Agency, and the state Sanitation and Environmental Protection Agency.
“The aim was to mobilise relevant institutions and build the resilience of communities for effective response to stem the disaster,” he added.