Flood: Jigawa Govt unveils prevention, emergency response plans

The Jigawa State Government, through the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, has allocated N4 billion for flood prevention and emergency response measures ahead of anticipated flooding this year.

This was revealed by Dr Abdullahi Sa’ad, Secretary of the Jigawa State Local Governments Councils Vice Chairmen Association of Nigeria, during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting on flood preparedness held in Ringim.

Dr Sa’ad explained that the initiative followed recent flood predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, which listed Jigawa among the high-risk states. He noted that nearly 21 local government areas in the state are projected to be affected.

To address the threat, Local Government Emergency Management Committees have been established under the office of council vice chairmen, aimed at ensuring coordinated disaster prevention and response at the grassroots level.

He further stated that the state government has constituted a State Flood Committee, in addition to setting up 20-member committees across each local government area. These bodies are tasked with spearheading public sensitisation, clearing drainage channels and waterways, and implementing other proactive measures to mitigate flood risks.

Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Jigawa State Environmental Protection Agency, JISEPA, Mr Adamu Sabo, affirmed that his agency is working in close partnership with SEMA to mobilise preventive actions and minimise the potential impacts of flooding.

He called on residents to actively support the government’s efforts, stressing that “prevention is better than cure.”