As part of ongoing efforts to prepare for and mitigate flood risks across the state, the Abia State Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has taken its 2025 Flood Preparedness, Mitigation, and Response Sensitization Programme to Umuahia South Local Government Area.
Speaking during the sensitization event held at the Umuahia South Council Hall, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Team Leader, Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, emphasized that the objective of the campaign is to raise awareness and equip local communities with practical steps to mitigate the impact of flooding, as forecasted by NiMet.
Mr. Oriuwa reiterated the government’s resolve to reach all 17 LGAs of the state and urged traditional rulers to take ownership of the campaign by cascading the message to their various communities.
In his remarks, the Mayor of Umuahia South LGA, Mr. Chinedu Enwereuzo, commended the initiative and revealed that Governor Alex Otti has directed immediate intervention on the Mgarakuma- Nsirimo Road to ensure accessibility during the rainy season.
Also Speaking, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Dr. Sunny Jackson, noted that the sensitization aligns with the agency’s core mandate of early warning and disaster risk reduction.
He appreciated the Governor for his consistent support and urged citizens to promptly report any flood related incident to appropriate authorities for swift response.
Representatives from relevant agencies also lent their voices to the campaign, Alphonsus Onuegbu, Head of Disaster Management, NSCDC Abia Command, and Chimaroke Ufomadu, Chairman, Nigerian Red cross society, Abia State, stressed the importance of avoiding practices that can cause man made disaster, such as building on waterways and indiscriminate refuse dumping, and pointed out that enforcement of the 2004 Environmental Law as amended is being strengthened through media campaign.
In their expert presentation, the SSA to the Governor on EnvironmentProf. Ijeoma Iheukwumere, DG State Orientation agency, Lady Urenma Abazie, and the Director of Climate change, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Chris Ike, highlighted the importance of tree planting as ecological buffers and called on Royal fathers to champion flood preparedness efforts at the grassroots.
In their responses, the Chairman of Ubakala Clan Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Prof Cyril Udeaga, and Eze Boniface Izuogo of Olokoro appreciated the government’s proactive approach and pledged to sensitive their communities.They used the opportunity to highlight local challenges such as uncontrolled sand mining by youth.
