Flood Alert: Waste to Wealth?

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Niger has embarked on a sensitization campaign to educate the communities on disaster risk reduction and proper waste disposal.

Hussaini Isah, Head of NEMA’s Minna Operations Office, which covers Niger and Kwara states, led the campaign to the Anguwan Daji community in Minna on Wedne. stay

He said the agency collaborated with NYSC-NEMA Emergency Management Vanguard (EMV), to organise the sensitisation alongside NISEPA, NSEMA, and Ajnu Venture.

“We are here today to sensitize the local community in Minna, particularly Anguwan Daji, on the issue of disaster risk reduction and poor waste disposal,” he said.

Isah said the campaign responded to the 2025 flood prediction released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency’s annual flood outlook.

He emphasized the importance of mitigation and preparedness, stating that when it happens, there must be a response, which must be prompt and effective.

He disclosed that the sensitization campaign would continue in Minna metropolis and Kwara state.

Isah noted that poor waste disposal was a major challenge globally, and Nigeria is no exception.

“Most of our cities and towns are littered with sachets, water bottles, tires, and broken bottles.

“These can clog our environment and existing drainages, causing water to accumulate and leading to trouble,” he said.

Isah called on the Niger state government to establish recycling plants to effectively collect and dispose of solid waste.

Ahmed Abubakar, President of NEMA EMV, said the initiative was part of the group’s community development service, aimed at identifying and addressing pressing needs in the communities they serve.

“We recognized that this community has been dumping refuse indiscriminately, which is hazardous to their health and can cause flooding.

“We decided to come and enlighten them on the dangers of disposing refuse indiscriminately, especially since they have a lot of children who may not be aware of the risks,” he said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Nasir Tanko, Community Head of Anguwan Daji, called for the provision of alternative waste disposal sites to deter indiscriminate dumping on waterways.

He suggested that after evacuation, the authorities should utilize the media to sensitize the public about the provision of a new dumping site and the consequences of dumping refuse in the drainage.

Zuwaira Hassan, a resident of Anguwan Daji, recalled that the community previously had a vehicle for house-to-house waste collection and waste containers, but these services are no longer available.

She appealed to the state government to take urgent action to address the issue as continuous dumping of refuse in the drainage posed a risk to their lives. (NAN)