Akpan Umoh, Uyo
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged traders in Akwa Ibom State to adopt proper waste disposal practices to prevent flooding during the rainy season.
Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni, State Head of Operations, NEMA, made this call during a one-day workshop on Proper Waste Management and Flood Sensitization at Itam Market in Uyo on Friday.
Aisueni emphasised that indiscriminate waste disposal not only pollutes the environment but also blocks drainage, leading to a high risk of flooding.
“In Akwa Ibom State, we face dual challenges: effective waste management and preparation for severe flooding. Improper waste management pollutes our environment, clogs drainage systems, and exacerbates flood risks and impacts,” Aisueni said.
She stressed that proper waste management is crucial for maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment, involving waste reduction, recycling, and proper treatment.
She said, “By adopting better waste management practices, we can reduce pollution, conserve resources, and improve public health.
“Flood preparedness and response are also crucial for minimizing flood devastation. Effective flood management requires a comprehensive approach that includes early warning systems, robust infrastructure, community education, and coordinated response efforts.”
Aisueni cited the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency’s 2024 Annual Flood Outlook, which identified Eastern Obolo, Ikot Abasi, and Ibeno as high-risk areas, with 14 other local government areas at moderate risk.
She warned that some moderate-risk areas, such as Mbo, Oron, Eket, Esit Eket, and Itu, which are flood-prone, may become high-risk, and Uyo metropolis may experience flash floods due to heavy runoff and clogged drains.
The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Uno Uno, assured that the state government has been proactive in managing waste to tackle flooding.
Uno represented by his Head of Flood and Erosion Control, Mr. Okon Udoh urged traders to cooperate with the government by disposing of waste properly to prevent flooding and assured that the government would remain proactive in flood control and collaborate with NEMA to ensure residents’ safety.