Environment
Rising Water Level Threatens 34 Ahoada West Communities
34 out of 67 communities in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State are being threatened by flood following the rising level of water in the Orashi River.
A source within the affected communities said the situation has thrown the people into panic with farmers embarking on premature harvesting of crops.
According to the source, most farmlands in the area are also flooded.
Confirming the incident in a radio interview in Port Harcourt, a member of Ahoada West Flood Management Committee, Mr Meshach Uyi said farmers in the affected communities have been asked to harvest their crops to avoid being destroyed by the flood.
According to him, 34 out of 67 communities in the local government area are on dangers of being submerged due to the rising water level in the area.
Mr Meshach Uyi said all the farmlands within the 34 communities are already submerged.
According to him, the situation has led to premature harvesting of crops by farmers in the area.
He said the local goverent council has also setup 14 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the area.
Uyi said the camps are located at Akinima,Ubeta, Mbiama, and Odhiolugboji.
Others are: Okogbe, Ihuaje, Ogbogolo, Isua (Joinkrama 2), Okarki and Ahoada among others.
Uyi said the central Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at the council headquarters Akinima has a capacity of 8500 while the two camps at Isua Joinkrama will take1000 people each.
He said a robust sensitisation programme has been carried out across the local government area to sensitise the communities of the impending flood disasters.
According to Uyi, who is also an environmentalist, a flood preparedness plan was also put in place by the council, adding that the plan addresses pre-flooding, flooding and post flooding issues.
He stressed the need for the federal government to find a lasting solution to the problems by not only dredge the Orashi river but construct a dam across the River Benue to contain water from the Cameroun.
Also speaking, the supervisor for information and communications, Ahoada West Local Government Area, Madu Madueke said the various camps have been properly equipped to take care of the needs of the internally displaced persons.
He said a robust sensitization and enlightenment campaigns have been carried out across the area with the five languages spoken by the people.
According to him, people are being advised to move to the internally displaced persons camps to avoid being caught up by the flood.
He said, as a local government area that is used to perennial flooding, the council is leaving no stone unturned to mitigate the effects of the flood disasters this time around.
By: John Bibor
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
-
Sports2 days agoTinubu Lauds Super Eagles’ after AFCON bronze triumph
-
Sports2 days agoFulham Manager Eager To Receive Iwobi, Others
-
Sports2 days agoAFCON: Lookman gives Nigeria third place
-
Sports2 days ago“Mikel’s Influence Prevent Some Players Invitation To S’Eagles Camp”
-
News2 days agoSERAP Sues Govs, FCT Minister Over Security Vote Spending
-
Sports2 days agoMan of The Match award Excites Nwabali
-
Niger Delta2 days agoINC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form
-
Editorial2 days agoBeyond Accessing Bonny By Road