Greenhighland Initiative, a non-governmental organisation has urged residents of Bwari Area Council of the FCT to improve on environmental hygiene and sanitation to curb flood risk.
The organisation’s programmes Coordinator, Mr Jonah Abhrams made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Dutse-Alhaji, Abuja.
Abhrams, an environmental expert said that the organisation had started campaign to sensitise residents of the various communities to flood risks.
“Sensitising the people about the risks of flood and other environmental challenges can never be over emphasised because the situation is getting worse and needs collaborative efforts to be tackled.
“Residents, especially the rural communities need to be constantly enlightened on the risks of flooding, and how to improve on waste collection and disposal from drainages.
“If your community lacks adequate waste collection and disposal system, the dumping of waste is likely to be clogging drainage systems and contributing to local flooding,“he said.
Abhrams said the campaign which is expected to last for a week, would commence on May 20 to May 24, at the various communities council.
He said that one of the organisation’s plans was to encourage the people on tree planting as part of ways to reduce flooding, especially in erosion prone areas.
The coordinator said that retaining and creating natural green space around houses could help reduce sewer overflows by reducing storm water runoff.
He, however, said that it was important to manage expectations carefully, as green infrastructure and permeable surfaces may reduce the likelihood and impact of floods.
Abhrams urged the area council, as well as stakeholders in the district, to prioritise tackling environmental challenges and be proactive towards addressing them to forestall disasters.
” Local authorities play a crucial role in flood prevention, mitigation, and management.
“They are responsible for ensuring that communities prepared for such disasters and that they have the resources and knowledge necessary to respond effectively to such incidents.
“These initiatives are meant to design solutions that deliver the great benefits for local people and support maintenance,“he said.
He said that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), had continuously called for climate related disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies in both States and Local Government Authorities.
The coordinator said these governments are expected to implement the strategies in order to mitigate the impact of floods in identified risk areas.
He said that it was government’s responsibility to map out these areas, its potential impact on the communities and immediately put out measures to avert it.
NAN reports that Greenhighland Initiative is an environmental movement, that seeks to monitor, analyse and protect the environment against misuse or degradation from human forces in communities. (NAN)
