BY LAW IBITOYE
Effective waste management and proper sensitization of the masses in preparation for flooding has been attributed as panacea for tackling flood and epidemic in Ekiti state.
This was the position of stakeholders at a one day workshop on sensitization and public awareness campaign on proper waste management and flood preparedness organized by National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), Ekiti Operations Office on Thursday in Ado Ekiti.
The Director General, National Emergency Management Agency
Mrs Zubaida Umar , represented by the Head of Operation Ekiti and ONDO States, Mr Kofoworola Soleye cautioned Ekiti residents against dumping waste on waterways and unauthorized places, saying it’s effect apart from flooding could cause epidemics.
Mr Soleye advised that blocked drainages in individual houses, communities and streets be packed, freed for free flow of water and waste to be properly disposed .He said” Federal government is looking towards disaster risk mitigation and it’s better to mitigate if we can not prevent disaster to get people prepared , having given warning ahead by the annual flood outlook of NIMET and the seasonal climate projections.
We discover there will be flooding, so we decide to get the masses ready on what not to do to avoid flood. I advised that block drainages be packed, freed for free flow of water.
Speaking on adherence to early warnings, Mr Soleye said
Considering the havock flood wreck on individuals, state and communities, he said states , communities and individual persons are taken preventive measures to mitigate flooding.We should continue to engage relevant stakeholders, community leaders, market men and women and students inclusive for wider sensitization”
Also speaking, Mr OLASUNKANMI Onipede, the Director General, Ekiti State Waste management Authority, said, to combat flood, it required the concerted efforts of government, the masses and efforts from the waste management Authority, State Environmental protection Agency .He added that the concerned ministries are working hard to ensure drainages and canals are freed. He stressed that the distillation and channelization that are done are immediately evacuated so that when it rains it doesn’t return to the cannal and drainages .
Speaking on the effects of improper waste management, Sanitarian Ariyo Emmanuel and Dr Sola Gbenga Igotun (Mrs) represented by Dr. OLUMIDE Obe said it caused environmental impacts which resulted to pollution of soil, water, air, climate change , habitat destruction. Adding that it resulted to health impacts; infectious diseases, pest manifestation, accident, injury and economic impacts among others.
Speaking further, the Director General, Bureau of Civic Orientation, Mrs Olawumifamuyiwa opined that Environmental protection, Public health, Economic Efficiency,climate change mitigation among others were importance of proper waste management.
Mrs Olawumifamuyiwa suggested ;
Public Education and awareness, policies and legislations, community involvement, infrastructure Development and technological innovations as strategies for effective waste management.
According to her” Proper waste management and flood preparedness are interconnected elements that contribute to the overall resilience and sustainability of communities.We can protect public health, safeguard properly and enhance our ability to recover from natural disasters, community involvement, education and integrated planning are key to achieving these goals” She concluded.
Earlier the Deputy Governor, Shief Mrs Monisade Afuye had declared the workshop opened. She was represented by the permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Bayo Opeyemi who lauded the efforts of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s proactive measures to distilled culverts, channelization of canals and provision of bins at strategic places in the state for dumping waste. He stressed that the measures had saved the state of imminent flooding .