…Organizes Sensitization, Awareness Workshop For Stakeholders
By Udesinanna Stephen
The National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, has urged residents of Ekiti State to desist from dumping refuse on drainages and other unauthorized places to prevent epidermic, flooding and ensure free flow of water.
The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar gave the advice in Ado Ekiti during a one-day workshop on sensitization and public awareness campaign towards proper waste management and flood preparedness.
The Director General who was represented by Ekiti State NEMA, Head of Operations of NEMA, Dr. Kofoworola Soleye noted that flooding experienced in Ekiti State was due to improper waste management, saying such warranted the need to educate residents on proper waste disposal.
In her speech, the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Monisade Afuye said the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has dispatched machines to dredge major rivers in the state to prevent flooding.
The Deputy Governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Bayo Opeyemi told the gathering that dino bins had been distributed to strategic places for proper dumping of refuse.
On his own, the General Manager, Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency (EK-SEMA), Mr Oludare Asaolu, noted that combating floods requires citizens’ collaboration, thereby calling on communities to launch orientation teams to educate the masses.
Earlier, the Director-General Bureau of Civic Orientation and Citizenship, Mrs Olawumi Famuyiwa a resource person explained that community engagement and education in promoting effective waste management practices were necessary to fight flood and other environmental hazards.
The Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Mrs. Sola Gbenga-Igotun who represented the State Commissioner of Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani noted that flooding could brings a risk of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid, and malaria.
Also, the Representative of the Ekiti State Waste Management Authority, Sanitarian Ariyo Emmanuel, another resource person for the workshop condemned dumping refuse on drainages and waterways.
