The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sensitised stakeholders on waste management to mitigate floods ravaging some parts of the country.

The North-Central coordinator of NEMA, Eugene Nyelong, said at a one-day stakeholders workshop on Tuesday in Jos that the initiative was part of the agency’s preparedness against floods as waste usually blocked waterways.

Mr Nyelong stated that the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the 2024 seasonal climate prediction by the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET) predicted that some local government areas in the North-Central states were at high risk of flooding.

The zonal coordinator stated that it was important that all hands must be on deck to proffer mitigation measures.

According to him, waste production is increasing at an alarming rate, posing environmental, economic and social challenges through its negative impact.

Mr Nyelong added that how the stakeholders handled the waste has significant implications for human health and communities.

“Effective waste management can conserve resources, protect public health, and prevent further degradation of the ecosystem, serving as a deterrent to climate change.

“Let us remember that the action we take today in managing our waste will have a lasting impact on our future generation,” Mr Nyelong added.

He urged stakeholders to commit to being part of the solution, to innovating, educating, and working together towards a cleaner, healthier, and more suitable environment.

There were presentations on waste management from different sources.

Rose Enanya of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) said rapid urbanisation and population growth were responsible for increased waste generation.

Ms Enanya advocated for proper enforcement of existing waste management regulations.

(NAN)