Flood Risk: Nasarawa To Order Forced Relocation Of Residents

The Nasarawa State Government said it would enforce the relocation of residents living in flood-prone areas to prevent loss of lives and property as the 2026 rainy season intensifies.

Princess Margaret Elayo, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources stated this on Saturday in Lafia while addressing journalists after the April sanitation exercise.

The commissioner said the government had identified high-risk communities across Doma, Nasarawa, Toto, Awe, and Lafia Local Government Areas that experience annual flooding from River Benue and its tributaries.

She noted that the steps became imperative because of the prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) as well as the bad experiences of the past where lives and property were lost to flooding.

“We are partnering with the Chairmen of Local Government Areas (LGAs) and traditional rulers to show those affected by this relocation directive where they should go now for safety.

“They should pick up their valuables and leave their houses for now so that when flooding eventually happens, no lives will be lost,” she added.

Elayo further called on members of the public to desist from dumping refuge in drains and not to build structures on waterways to avert flooding.

She promised to strengthen the awareness campaign strategies toward enlightening the public on the importance of clearing waterways to prevent flooding.

“We have engaged the traditional and religious leaders, community leaders, and we are sponsoring sensitisation programs in the mass media to enlighten the public on the dangers of flooding and steps to avert it,” she said.

On the April sanitation exercise, the commissioner expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance by the residents of the state and appealed for more cooperation to guard against outbreaks of diseases.

“If the environment is kept clean, it will guard against a possible outbreak of any disease, thereby ensuring improved healthy living of the people.”

Meanwhile, Abubakar Mohammed, Chief Prosecutor Officer of the ministry said that 106 persons were arrested across the state for violating sanitation laws.

The chief prosecutor said that the offenders were arrested for transacting their private businesses while the sanitation exercise was in progress.

He said the defaulters were prosecuted by various mobile courts because their actions violated the provisions of section 9 (2) of the State Environmental Sanitation Law.