The Head of Operations, National Emergency Management Agency, in Yola, Adamawa State, Ladan Ayuba, has urged residents of Adamawa to promote activities that will safeguard and protect the environment.

Mr Ayuba said at a waste management and flood preparedness workshop in Yola on Wednesday that some human activities were inimical to the environment.

He urged residents of flood-prone communities to take proactive steps towards cushioning the effects of eventual flooding in the state.

“We all need to play our roles as we anticipate that the flood prediction in some parts of the state will eventually happen,” he said.

The NEMA official said that improper handling of waste could pose serious danger to the physical and social environments.

“This workshop is to educate and sensitise the public on the need to be prepared, vigilant and protective of the environment.

“As a people, we need to imbibe safer, environmentally-friendly and sustainable means of managing the waste we generate. As the rain intensifies, I urge all stakeholders to adequately prepare in anticipation to respond to any flood emergency,” he said.

The Controller, Federal Ministry of Environment in Adamawa, Safiya Abubakar, said that the Federal Government remained proactive in tackling flooding and other environmental challenges.

“We have to do our part as citizens. We should protect the environment by maintaining public hygiene, and not dumping waste in drains and waterways. Some parts of the state are listed to witness flooding during the rainy season, so let’s help ourselves by taking precautionary measures. Let’s help to clear the drains and other water channels. Let’s stop erecting structures on waterways,” she said.

In his remarks, the Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency, in Adamawa, Philip Ngamariju, expressed concerns over the poor environmental attitude of some residents.

Represented by Ismail Abubakar, the Administrative Officer, General Duties, Mr Ngamariju, said that the task of protecting the environment was collective.

(NAN)