NEMA identifies 12 LGs as flood-risk
In fulfilment of its promise to cushion the impact of the economic downturn in the country, the Federal Government has released 1,437.5 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve (NSR) to the Niger State government for distribution to the vulnerable in the communities.
The NSR is under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Relatedly, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed that 12 local councils in the state were identified as high flood-risk areas this year.
While handing over the commodities to Governor Umaru Bago at the Government House in Minna, yesterday, the Director General, NEMA, Zubaida Umar, explained that membership of the distribution committee in each local council should comprise the chairman, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), a traditional ruler, Department of State Services (DSS), police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), faith-based organisations and Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). Others are Red Cross, women’s associations, Persons with Disability (PWD) groups, youth associations, principals of boarding schools, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the media.
She noted that the food items would be shared equally with all the local councils based on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
According to the DG, 20 per cent of the food items for each local council should be given to religious organisations and 30 per cent to boarding schools.
THE NEMA DG disclosed the 12 local councils in Minna on Wednesday during the symbolic presentation of food commodities to Bago at Government House, Minna.
They are Agwara, Bida, Magama, Munya, Agaie, Shiroro, Bosso, Kontagora, Gurara, Chanchaga, Rafi, and Lavun had been identified as highly probable flood risk areas in the 2024 rainy session.
She appealed to the state government to take proactive measures against flooding.