The director general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, has called on people to sign up for flood insurance to mitigate the effects of floods.
This is even as she called on Nigerians to always monitor weather alerts to know risks and warnings of flood by listening to news and monitoring weather forecasts.
Umar, represented by the head of Imo and Abia states, Nnamdi Igwe, made the call during the presentation of relief items to flood victims in Abia via the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Igwe, in the company of other staff members, condoled with the Abia State government and the victims over the flood incident and prayed to God to forestall future occurrences.
Flood affected residents in five local government areas of Abia State: Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Ikwuano Umuahia, Isiukwuato, and Umunneochi. However, NEMA presented the victims with relief materials such as rice, garri, beans, vegetable oil, and wax prints, amongst other items.
According to Igwe, the gesture supported the victims, cushioned the flood’s effect, and commended them for fleeing to safety.
He called on residents in the two states to know their flood risk and the level, saying people should monitor the news, use weather apps, and use government websites to stay informed of flood warnings.
He appealed to people in flood-prone areas to ensure documents like birth certificates and other vital documents are secured in waterproof containers or digitally backed up formats, and create an evacuation plan to identify safe routes to higher ground and evacuation centers.
Further, Igwe admonished people to have backup power solutions like generators or portable power banks for critical devices. Keep spare batteries for radios, flashlights, and other essentials.
The Executive Secretary of Abia SEMA, Mr Jackson, who received the items on behalf of the state government, appreciated the federal government through NEMA for the timely response to the plight of the victims, saying it will go a long way to cushion the negative impact of the disaster on the victims.
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