National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has implemented flood early warning strategies at the grassroots level in Oyo State, based on predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
The event, held at the Ona-Ara Local Government Headquarters, involved various local stakeholders, including local government officials, traditional leaders, and representatives from various associations. NEMA’s Director-General, through a representative, emphasized the importance of early action to mitigate flood risks in Oyo State, where 11 LGAs are predicted to be affected by floods in 2024. Nationally, 31 states with 148 LGAs are at high flood risk, while 35 states, including the FCT, with 249 LGAs, are at moderate risk.
The Chairman of Ona Ara LGA, Dr. Temitope Kollapo, expressed gratitude for the initiative and pledged to disseminate the information to local communities. The event featured presentations in Yoruba for better comprehension and an interactive session for stakeholders to ask questions and provide input.
NEMA and SEMA officials also visited the Oyo State Governor’s office, where the Deputy Governor, representing the Governor, promised support for the flood warning strategies and suggested expanding the scope to include wind storms and market fires.
