The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says at least 19 LGAs of Jigawa are in high- and moderate-risk areas.

NEMA director-general Zubaida Umar stated this during the 2024 Downscaling and Sensitisation of Flood Early Warning Strategies for Early Actions in Dutse.

She said this is according to the Nigeria Hydrological Agency’s (NIHSA) 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO).

Ms Umar listed the affected LGAs as Kaugama, Hadejia, Auyo, Ringim, Taura, Miga, Jahun, Guri, Kirikasamma, Malammadori, Gumel, Gwaram, Dutse, Birniwa, Kiyawa, Kafinhausa, Suletankarkar, Babura and Maigatari.

“These LGAs are already listed in the earlier NEMA communication to the government of Jigawa. Accordingly, I call for support in this initiative of downscaling flood early warning and risk mitigation to the grassroots,” Ms Umar said.

She stressed that the management of disaster risk in contemporary times hinges on community wide participation.

“As we always emphasise, disaster management is everybody’s business. Therefore, we must work together to safeguard communities at risk, protect critical infrastructure and support uninterrupted socio-economic activities in Jigawa state,” she added.

Ms Umar further expressed hope that the gesture will help reduce the impact of annual recurring floods and safeguard the residents’ private and communal livelihoods.

According to her, the gesture is also a guaranteed path to driving socio-economic growth and development, which is in line with the federal government’s renewed hope agenda.

Governor Umar Namadi said the state government has already taken proactive measures to reduce the flood’s impact throughout the state.

Mr Namadi assured of his administration’s commitment to safeguard the lives and property.

The executive secretary of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Aliyu Mairiga, noted that the event highlights the urgent need for effective and proactive measures to mitigate the risks and enhance resilience.

“In the past, we’ve witnessed the devastating impacts of floods on our communities, infrastructure and economy. The flood of 2022 is still fresh in our memories,” Mr Mairiga. “NEMA’s implementation of the redefined 2024 early warning strategies is tailored to the needs and vulnerabilities of our state. We recognise the privilege to have been picked from a larger group as a start point of this sensitisation.”

(NAN)