Mr Kobis Thimnu, the Chairman of Adamawa Quick Response Committee on Flood, on Monday said four communities living in flood prone areas have refused to relocate in spite of provision of alternative land to them.
Thimnu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola that the affected communities were Loko in Song, Boronji and Limawa in Yola North and Ngbalang in Numan local government areas.
According to him, the government has provided the communities with alternative land but the residents are still reluctant to move.
“The committee has employed several techniques at ensuring that the communities relocate to a safer place, but they declined.”
The gesture by the government, he said, was to avert last year’s experience when “the government and people were caught unawares by the flood which led to loss of lives and property”.
He said the committee had procured speed boats, tents, water filtration facilities and other necessary items required for quick intervention and support to those likely to affected, “in the face of impending flood warnings by NIMET”.
Thimnu listed another proactive measure taken by the committee to avert flooding as the evacuation of blocked drainage and water ways, particularly in the state capital.
“We also identified dump sites for use by the people to check indiscriminate dumping of refuse”, Thimnu said.
He appreciated the support and cooperation of traditional rulers in the state to the committee, particularly in the area of public enlightenment and mobilisation. (NAN)
