Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Zubaida Umar, has called on the Niger State Government to take proactive measures against flooding, as 12 local government areas have fallen under this year’s flood risk areas.
Umar made the call while flagging off the distribution of 1,437 metric tonnes of assorted grains for vulnerable people across the 25 local government areas of the state.
She further revealed that 20% of the food items due for each local government area will go to religious organisations, while 3% will go to boarding schools in the local government areas, based on the directive of the President.
The food commodities to be distributed include 550 metric tonnes of maize (11,000 of 50 kg bags), 660 metric tonnes of sorghum (13,000 of 50 kg bags) and 247.5 metric tonnes of millet (4,750 of 50 kg bags).
Umar urged the state government to put all machineries in motion to mitigate the impending flood in 12 local government areas of the state – Agwara, Bida, Magma, Munya, Agaie, Shiroro, Bosso, Kontagora, Gurara, Chanchaga, Rafi, and Lavun.
Governor Umar Bago promised the template for distribution will be strictly followed, warning that anyone who attempts to divert or sell the commodities will be prosecuted.
He calls on the beneficiaries to report anyone who attempts to exploit them, as the state government has provided logistics for the items to get to all 25 local government areas.
On the flood alert, the governor announced that a committee will be inaugurated next week, to sensitise those living around the flood-prone communities to move to safer areas.
Editor: Oloyede Oworu
