FG/NEWMAP Install Flood-warning System In 10 States
The Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, has installed Automated Flood Early Warning System, AFEWS, in 10 states for early warning signal to communities living along the coastal/riverine plains.
The states are Delta, Anambra, Imo, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa and Taraba.
National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, Salisu Dahiru, disclosed this when he led the project team to inspect the AFEWS equipment installed in Patani River bank, Delta State.
The NEWMAP boss, represented by Mr. Ayuba Yalaks, said: “This support is coming under component 2A Federal MDA effectiveness and services to strengthen institutions and ensure the enabling environment for effective erosion and catchment management, through capacity support and provision of necessary equipment for data availability towards more capable, modernised and coordinated federal, state and local institutions.
“The installed equipment is up and running and will be hooked to satellites which will constantly transmit messages to specific websites and emails of relevant government agencies at the state and federal levels.
“The agencies include Erosion and Flood Control Department of the Federal Ministry of Environment; State Emergency Management Agencies, SEMAs; Climate Change Department of the Ministry of Environment, as well as stakeholders living in the coastal communities.” In Delta the Project Coordinator of Delta State NEWMAP, Mr. Isaac Ufiofio, said NEWMAP’s intervention cuts across the three senatorial district of Delta State through the installation of the AFEWS in Patani to serve the riverine communities in the coastal region such as Jesse, Obomkpa, Ukwu-Uzu, Ubulu-Uku and Owanta erosion/flood sites. Ufiofio, who spoke alongside acting Permanent Secretary, Delta State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mr. Karo Ovemeso, noted that NEWMAP will provide necessary assistance to reduce the risk of flood and drains in the state and tasked stakeholders in Patani to join hands with government by protecting the installed equipment from the hands of vandals.
