The Enugu State government has set up a task force on erosion to assist the government in controlling and mitigating the impact of flooding.

Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed this during a meeting with stakeholders and task force members on Friday in Enugu.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA) had warned that some parts of the state would be affected by flooding, ranging from low to moderate-risk flooding.

Some of the local government areas with a high risk of flooding include Enugu East, Enugu South, Enugu North, Nkanu East, Nsukka, Udi, Ezeagu, Nkanu West, Igboeze North, Igboeze South, Igbo-Etiti, Oji River, Uzo Uwani, Aninri, Awgu, and Isi Uzo, among others.

While addressing the task force members, Mr Onyia noted that the state governor, Peter Mbah, was worried by the predictions and immediately directed that a task force that would protect the lives and property of the citizens be constituted.

“Sequel to this prediction, the governor considered it very pertinent to establish a task force for drainage, clearing of debris, dredging of waterways, and identification of buildings constructed on waterways.

“And when we identify these buildings, we will take necessary actions,” he said.

Mr Onyia added that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, in its annual flood outlook, said 224 local governments would fall within the moderate flood risk areas.

“Enugu State is among the states it said will experience extended rainfall and will likely record 1,300 millimetres to 2,000 millimetres of rainfall this year,” Mr Onyia said.

He said the state government had commenced the reinforcement of different facilities to address the imminent erosion and environmental challenges in the state following the prediction by the two agencies.

Mr Onyia appealed to public members to cooperate with the task force in mitigating the effect of flooding.

Members of the task force were drawn from different professional agencies in the state, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA).

Others are the Enugu State Ministry of Health, Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Town Planning Authority, the chairmen of the affected council areas, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

(NAN)