By George George Idowu
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has conducted a sensitization and public awareness campaign in Umuahia, Abia State, with the focus on proper waste management and flood preparedness.
The event, organized by NEMA Owerri Operations, brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including the ministries of Environment, Health, Works, Housing, security agencies, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and civil society organizations on Monday.
The campaign, themed “Awareness Campaign on Waste Management and Flood Disaster, Mitigation and Response Programme,” featured a panel discussion on waste management.
Participants highlighted the need for attitudinal changes to mitigate the impact of waste mismanagement and flooding.
NEMA Owerri/Abia Head of Operations, Nnandi Igwe emphasized the adverse effects of improper waste disposal and inefficient recycling, including overflowing landfills and polluted oceans.
He stressed the importance of community education on waste reduction and proper disposal, noting that waste management and flood disaster mitigation are interconnected challenges requiring immediate and collective action.
On the part of Dr. Sunday Jackson, Executive Secretary of Abia State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), praised NEMA’s efforts and highlighted the impact of flooding in the state, including the recent loss of five lives in Obingwu Community, Ukwa West Local Government Area.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for his support in disaster management, describing him as a “disaster management-friendly governor.”
