NEMA Predicts More Floodings, Storm

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that the disasters predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency   (NIMET) are not limited to the rainy season.

NEMA South West Zonal Coordinator, Mr Iyiola Akande gave the warning in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday in Osogbo.

Akande was in Osogbo with a team of the agency’s officials for a rally preparatory to the 2011 World Disaster Reduction Day Celebration holding on Thursday.

The NEMA top official recalled that NIMET had predicted the flood disasters in some parts of the country particularly the South West such as Lagos, Ibadan and

Osogbo.

He therefore warned that people and governments should not rest on their oars in preventing all forms of natural disasters as soon as the rains were over.

According to him, the prediction of NIMET does not limit to flooding but extends to other forms of disasters such as epidemics of cholera and other dreadful diseases.

Akande who observed that the outbreak of such diseases might be the after effects of flooding, also listed strong winds and drought as other likely disasters still ahead.

The Zonal Coordinator explained that although, preventive measures could be put in place to mitigate the effects of the disasters most of them could not be averted.

“There is no scientific device to stop natural disasters, but we can ensure public health and maintain personal hygiene to minimise their effects.

“For instance, with the pre-knowledge of a volcanic eruption, the people and property in the area can be evacuated but the eruption cannot be averted,” he said.

He therefore lauded Gov. Rauf Aregbesola for dredging major rivers in Osogbo, Ilesa, Ikire and Ile-Ife before the rains which accounted for fewer cases of flood disasters in the state.