The Lopeng Energy Limited in partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has held a two-day flood sensitization/engagement with the Delta State residents.

The programme was held between Monday and Tuesday at Oleh in Isoko South and Eku in Ethiope East Local Government Areas of Delta State.

The event was part of the ongoing flood sensitization programme across the Nine states of the Niger Delta region.

The sensitization/engagement campaign with the theme “Community First” was aimed at educating Delta communities on the impending flood and possible ways to mitigate its devastating effect.

The two-day event was convened following the impending flooding recently announced by the duo of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

Recall that twin agencies had hinted that 31 states with 148 local government areas (LGAs) would be hit by flood disasters in this year.

However, no fewer than 200 participants mostly from the flood-prone communities across the three senatorial districts of the state attended the programme.

In her remark, Mrs Chinyere Umeh,
the Director of Community and Rural Development (CRD) of the NDDC, said that the programme was to help create awareness on the critical roles, local communities could play in preventing and mitigating flood disasters.

Mrs Umeh noted that flooding had caused great havoc to lives and properties in Nigeria in the past years and stressed the need for collective action by the communities to prevent it.

According to her, flood, like earthquakes and tornadoes are natural events beyond our control, but noted that through preparation and community engagement, the impact could reduced.

“There is need to empower community leaders so they can spread vital information about impending flood and mobilize local efforts to prevent potential disaster,” Umeh said.

Also speaking, Mr Chidi Ogundu,
The South-South Director of the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), urged the participants to ensure their waterways, drains and canal were not blocked.

Ogundu also admonished the people not to erect structures on waterways which according to him often impede the free-flow of water.

“Stop dumping refuse in the drains. The indiscriminate practice exacerbates flooding, residents of the communities should collectively rid waterways of debris to avert flooding,” Ogundu advised.

Another speaker, Mr Abraham Eruja of NiMet, explained the impact of climate change on the environment which included rising temperature and flooding.

He, however, urged the participants to protect the environment by combating global warming through tree planting and promoting campaigns against fossil fuel.

On his part, Mr Gold Akporoye, Deputy Director, Community Development at the NDDC, emphasised the importance of timely preparation towards mitigating the impact of flooding particularly in the coastal communities.

The deputy director, however,
commended the Managing Director of the NDDC, Chief Dr Samuel Ogbuku, for his proactiveness in equipping communities with the needed knowledge to tackle potential flood.

The Participants expressed gratitude to the NDDC for organizing the sensitization programme.

They noted that the campaign had provided them with practical steps to reduce the risks posed by flood and stressed the need to intensify campaigns against blocking of drains and deforestation.