The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has alerted the Zamfara state government on seasonal climate prediction and annual flood outlook, saying Zamfara is among the moderate flood-risk areas.
NEMA further disclosed that the moderate risk local government areas in the state include Bungudu, Gummi, Gusau, Bakura, Maradun, Talata Mafara, Shiakafi and Zurmi-Local Government Areas.
This was disclosed on Monday by the Director General NEMA Zubaida Umar during the official handing over of Federal Government-approved assorted food commodities to the Zamfara state government.
The NEMA DG who was represented by the zonal Director North West Ishaya Chinoko said the food items was in fulfilment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to reduce the impact of the current economic down-turn’ being experienced in the country.
“This is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, Mr. President approved the release of 42,000MT of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve under the custody of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMoA&FS).”
He disclosed that the assorted food commodities include Maize, Millet, Sorghum,and Garri.
“Today we are here to hand over the food items to the state government for distribution to the identified deserving beneficiaries in the communities through the constituted Committees in each LGA. Please note that membership, of the Committee in each LGA is made up of the Chairman of the LGA, the State Emergency Management Agency, a Traditional Ruler, Department of. State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Faith-Based Organizations (JNI & CAN), Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Women Associations, Persons With Disability Groups, Youth Associations, Principals of Boarding Schools, Civil Society Organizations and the media.
“It is worthy of note that based on the allocation table, Zamfara State has been allocated:308 MT of maize (6,160 bags of 50kg),602 MT of sorghum (12,040 bags or 50kg),126 MT of millet (2,520 bags of 50kg),The food items will be shared equally to all the LGAs in the state.
“Also, based on the directives of Mr President, 20% of the food items due for each LGA should be given to religious organizations (JNI & CAN) and 3% to be given to boarding schools in the LGAS,” he said.
He said Zamfara State is known to be one of the major food producers in the country with the citizens largely engaged in farming activities.
“However, the annual occurrences- of flood have continued to threaten this potential. Floods have become a recurring experience in Zamfara. After the 2018 devastating flood, a similar one occurred in 2022 leading to a declaration of disaster emergency in many states.
“Though climate change has been largely blamed for this increasing phenomenon, it is our responsibility as government and people to evolve strategies to minimize losses through adherence to warning alerts, early preparation and proper response.
“May I draw the attention of Your Excellency to the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction and the Annual Flood Outlook. These documents have forecasted flood situation for different parts of the country.
“The prediction informed that in April, May and June period, 25 States and 72 Local Government Areas (LGAS) are within flood high-risk areas, Indicating heightened vulnerability to flooding. This vulnerability is said to persist into subsequent months of July to September with 33 States and 135 lGAs identified as high-risk areas, while the period between October and November has 19 States and 44 LGAs.
“Therefore, It is imperative to activate all plans and measures against the prediction as the season moves towards the peak.
“This year, Zamfara State is not among the highly probable flood risk areas. But Is among the moderate flood-risk areas. The moderate risk areas in the state are, Bungudu, Gummi, Gusau, Bakura, Maradun, Talata Mafara, Shiakafi and Zurmi-Local Government Areas.
“Your Excellency, in view of the foregoing, I wish to request the State Government to kindly take proactive and necessary mitigative measures.”
In his remarks, while receiving the food items, Governor Dauda Lawal thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support to vulnerable and poor people in the state.
“We are very grateful to Mr President for bringing assistance of assorted food items to the state, particularly in this period when the needs increase as a result of insecurity.
“This assistance came at the right time; this is in line with my administration’s policy of providing succour to vulnerable persons.”
He assured the federal government of his administration’s readiness to ensure judicious distribution of the items to beneficiaries across the state.
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