Expect severe weather disasters –NEMA alerts Nigerians

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has alerted Nigerians to prepare for more frequent and severe weather disasters.
It warned that events like flood, windstorm, drought and epidemics may occur in areas where they were previously unknown.

The Director General of the agency, Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, stated this while delivering relief assistance to over 1000 persons affected by windstorm disaster in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
According to the NEMA boss, “Disasters are increasing in their frequency and magnitude and scientific evidence has shown that as a result of climate change, extreme weather events like flood, windstorm, drought and epidemics have become more frequent and severe.
“They may even occur in areas where they were previously unknown.”

He stressed that there is therefore the need for emergency preparedness and early warning mechanism at local levels, especially as disaster preparedness and mitigation are necessary for the sustainable growth of any society.
Maihaja commiserated with the state government and victims over the disaster which within a few minutes, affected over 869 houses and rendered many homeless.
He assured them of the agency’s support to alleviate their suffering, adding that under his watch, victims of disasters will get assistance within 48 hours.

Items presented to the windstorm victims include: 200 bags of rice, 200 bags of maize and 200 bags of beans.
Others include: 300 blankets, 300 mosquito nets, 300 pieces of ceiling board, 300 mattresses, 300 bags of cement, 300 bundles of roofing sheets, 50 packets of zinc nails and 50 bags of 3 inch nails.
Receiving the items, the state governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, thanked NEMA for the relief assistance, noting that the state had, of recent, witnessed various disasters such as flood, windstorm, and boat mishaps.
It would recall that, last week in Maiyama LGA of Kebbi State, windstorm affected over 1000 persons, destroyed houses and damaged public infrastructures which includes schools and hospitals while about 37 persons were injured and the bones of 8 persons severely fractured.