NEWS
NEMA Tasks Enugu Communities on Building Flood Prevention, Resilience Action Plans
From Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Thursday urged flood prone communities within council areas in Enugu State on building flood prevention and resilience action plans.
The Acting Zonal Coordinator of NEMA South-East, Ngozi Echeazu gave the task during a sensitization on Proper Waste Management and Flood Preparedness in Eha-Amufu community within Isi-Uzo LGA of Enugu State.
The sensitization, which would be carried out in flood prone communities within three council areas in Enugu State, was organized by NEMA in collaboration with Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Echeazu advised community leaders and community disaster stakeholders to put together a local disaster management team as well as plan using both structural/non-structural measures to mitigate flood disaster.
According to her, the communities and stakeholders should formulate a local disaster mitigation team and plan that will take care of various health challenges that are associated with flooding and improper waste disposal.
“As part of the flood prevention and resilient action plan is the transfer of agricultural and livelihood risk and possible losses through the use of insurance companies.
“There is a need for dumpsters and designated locations for refuse dumps in communities in order to ensure that drainage is not blocked by refuse and silt created by indiscriminate refuse dump.
“You should also have a designated flood safe place for Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) temporal settlement within the local response plan to be carried out with the Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs),” she said.
She noted that building the resilience of communities to flood disasters had become imperative following the 2024 Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) predictions.
“This sensitisation is in line with the NEMA’s mandate to reach out and build capacities of LGAs/communities that are prone to flood disaster in the South-East especially in Enugu State.
“For Enugu State, the Agency is targeting its sensitization within communities in three LGAs, which are Isi-Uzo, Awgu and Enugu South LGAs from today to the weekend,” the zonal coordinator said.
The Executive Secretary of SEMA Enugu State, Chinasa Mbah appreciated NEMA for the sensitisation on proactive actions to be taken to mitigate the impact of flooding and also assisting the state to sort its emergency and response issues always.
Responding, the Traditional Ruler of Eha-Egu autonomous community within Eha-Amufu area, Igwe Samuel Ogbodo, assured that the people would abide by all instructions and warnings issued by NEMA and take proactive and concrete actions on mitigating the impact of flooding.
On his part, Member representing Isi-Uzo State Constituency, Hon. Gabriel Eze, commended the joint efforts of Federal, State and Local Governments in supporting proactive measures meant to mitigate disaster as well as disaster management by NEMA and SEMA.
Eze revealed that the gaps observed in the activities of LEMCs within the 17 council areas of the state, including Isi-Uzo LGA, would in no distant time be resolved by the Enugu State House of Assembly.
The event also featured a key presentation on “Flood Preparedness and Proper Waste Management”, which was delivered by a senior official of NEMA, Ezeani Nnanyelugo, in Igbo language.
The highlights of the event were an interactive session, distribution of flyers on Proper Waste Management/Flood Preparedness tips in both English and Igbo language as well as sharing of emergency numbers of relevant stakeholders to participants.
The sensitization was attended by state/LGA functionaries, traditional rulers, community leaders/members including religion leaders, traders, farmers, okada riders/drivers, artisans and other relevant stakeholders such as Nigeria Police, Red Cross, NYSC members, Forest Guards among others.
The YPP Candidate in the upcoming Anambra Governorship poll, Mr Paul Chukwuma, has decried the recent alleged assault on a female NYSC member by vigilance operatives (Udogachi) in the state.Reacting to the incident during an interactive session with newsmen in Awka, on Tuesday, Chukwuma described the attack as inhuman.
“I have watched the video of an assault on a lady by members of Udogachi, a security outfit under the control of the Anambra Government. “The lady, identified as Ms Jennifer Elobor, a corps member serving in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state, was beaten to a pulp and stripped naked by several operatives of Udogachi.“Similar barbaric behaviour, like the strange abuse of this lady, has continued to be meted out to unsuspecting members of the public in Anambra to the chagrin of all sane minds.“This particular incident must not be swept under the carpet, like the ones before it.“I am calling on the State Government to take a firm stance against these public abusers and bring them to justice.“I also call on the security agencies to ensure that these abusers are not only rounded up, but compelled to face the law,” he said.Chukwuma accused the state vigilance group of being high handed to the people they were supposed to protect.He said: “I am appalled by this absurdity, which has unfortunately become the daily experience of the residents of Anambra, who are held hostage in their homeland by a security outfit set up to protect them.“Notwithstanding, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the governor, has never deemed it necessary to call these people to order.”Chukwuma accused the State Government of not living up to expectation, hence the abuse of power by the security outfit.“The security outfit has always been on the negative side of the news for maltreating innocent citizens,” he said.The governorship hopeful alleged that insecurity in the state had increased unabated.Report says that Operation Udogachi was established by the government to complement the police and other security agencies in the fight against insecurity, such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and ritual killings, among other crimes. (NAN)
The Police command in Rivers has arrested 23-year-old Kingsley Chinamezu for the brutal murder of Miss Confidence Sunny, 44, in Etche Local Government Area of the state. The Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
She said Chinamezu, also known as Power Sharp, allegedly hacked his girlfriend, Sunny, to death with a machete on July 30 in Umuebule community. “After allegedly committing the crime, the suspect fled Rivers but continued issuing threats to the victim’s family, boasting that he could harm them without consequence,” she stated. Iringe-Koko said that after a formal complaint from the deceased’s family, Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, assigned the case to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU). She explained that operatives of the AKU, acting on credible intelligence, tracked and arrested the suspect on Aug. 15 at his hideout in Egbeta village, Edo. “During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime and gave details of the events leading up to the murder,” she revealed. Iringe-Koko said evidence was being compiled while the suspect was undergoing further investigation and profiling for possible involvement in other crimes. CP Adepoju commended the operatives for their swift response and diligence in apprehending the suspect. He assured residents that Rivers would not serve as a haven for criminals, stressing the Command’s firm commitment to justice and public safety. “Perpetrators of heinous crimes should desist, as the law will eventually catch up with them, and they will face its full wrath,” Adepoju warned. (NAN)
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has approved the suspension of the executive chairman of Otukpo local government council, Maxwell Ogiri, for a period of one month.The Governor also affirmed the immediate suspension of the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Grace Adagba, and the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Lottery Commission, Michael Uper for the period of one month each respectively.
Their suspension followed an intense pressure from the State House of Assembly that had earlier passed resolutions calling for immediate suspension of the affected officers.The resolutions of the House were conveyed to the governor’s office regarding the suspension of some public officials.In a statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary Kula Tersoo which was made available to newsmen on Wednesday, said the governor’s action was in line with the resolutions passed by the House.Alia reiterated his unwavering commitment to the rule of law, due process and the principles of separation of powers.He commended the House of Assembly for exercising its constitutional responsibilities and assured the people of Benue State that his administration remains dedicated to transparency, accountability, and good governance.Alia urged all affected institutions to ensure seamless continuity of service delivery during this period and called on the people of Benue State to continue to support the government’s efforts towards building a state that works for all.Recall that at its sitting two weeks ago, the assembly in a unanimous resolution, recommended the suspension of the SUBEB Chairman for gross insubordination, while the Otukpo Chairman and the Executive Secretary, Benue State Lottery Board were accused of misappropriation of funds.The house had insisted that if these persons were not suspended, it would not honor any correspondence from the Governor.The house equally put on hold the screening of the list of commissioner nominees sent to the house by the governor following the inability of the governor to approve the house numerous recommendations.
Assault: Governorship Hopeful Demands Justice for NYSC Member in Anambra
ShareThe YPP Candidate in the upcoming Anambra Governorship poll, Mr Paul Chukwuma, has decried the recent alleged assault on a...
Police Nab 23-year-old for Alleged Machete Killing of Girlfriend
ShareThe Police command in Rivers has arrested 23-year-old Kingsley Chinamezu for the brutal murder of Miss Confidence Sunny, 44, in...
Ogun APC Ratifies Suspension of Gbenga Daniel, Rep Folarin for Anti-party Activities
ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja The State Working Comm weittee (SWC) of the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress...
ADC Rejects Increase in Salaries of Political Office Holders
ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the proposed salary increases for Nigeria’s political office holders,...
APC Plotting to Use Security to Muzzle Zamfara State Constituency Bye-Election – PDP
Share By Mike Odiakose, Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is...
Alia Bows to Pressure, Suspends Council Chairman, Two Head of Parastatals
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has approved the suspension of the executive chairman of...
Federal Poly Sacks Deputy Rector over Alleged Insubordination
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi The Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Wannune in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State,...
Humanitarian Crises: IOM Donates N1.7bn to Benue IDPs
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) yesterday donated $1.1million, amounting to N1.7 billion to Benue State...
Akpabio Commends NDDC Boss for Turning Niger Delta Fortunes Around
ShareBy Eze Okechukwu, Abuja The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has commended the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission...
Foundation Makes Case for Plateau Humanitarian
ShareFrom Jude Dangwam, Jos The Chief Executive Officer of Safe House for Justice and Humanitarian Empowerment Centre, Edith Gumut has...
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish