Press Release
On 17th September 2024, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NISHA) notified Nigerians on regulated water that will be released at the rate of 100m% (8,640,000m/day) by Authority of Lagdo dam in Cameroon as part of its management strategy.
States that are contiguous to the River Benue system namely Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers and Rivers have been advised to implement urgent steps to ensure adequate preparedness measures so as to reduce the possible impact of the coming flooding.
The Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) which is a foremost environmental watchdog has reiterated the fact for the need by the Rivers State Government to establish the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency.
Anchoring on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 which is a 15 years global agreement to reduce, prevent and respond to disaster risk across the globe with four 4 key priorities which include:
~ Understanding disaster risk;
~ Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk;
~ Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience;
~ Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction;
CEHRD recommends that the Rivers State government discontinue the use of ad hoc Committees on flooding during flood emergencies and promptly establish a legally backed Rivers State Emergency Management Agency.
This Agency established should as its mandate prioritize prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation as mechanisms to counter imminent flood disasters in Rivers State.
Also, by fostering collaboration and partnership among relevant institutions, the agency can effectively implement disaster risk reduction and sustainable development strategies in the State.
Furthermore, the Global Data Institute Displacement Tracking matrix of the international organization for Migration have noted that as at 2022, over 337,393 individuals in 60,963 households were affected by floods in Rivers State.
In line with this, CEHRD calls on the government to be proactive at all levels, civil society organizations and indeed all well-meaning individuals to consider putting into action the 4 key priorities of the Sendai framework of action.
CEHRD will continue to monitor closely the situation and will keep the public abreast of development regarding these issues.
Signed
Cookey Tammy Ph.D.
Head, Environment and Conservation Unit
Centre for Environment, Human Right and Development ( CEHRD)
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