Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has stated that his administration is actively working to lessen the effects of flooding in the region. Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting arranged by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Umuahia, Otti highlighted various initiatives being taken, such as building roads, constructing drainage systems, clearing blocked gutters, and controlling erosion to prevent floods. Represented by Environment Commissioner Philemon Ogbonna, the Governor emphasized the importance of spreading early warning information to help reduce the devastating impacts of floods. He urged attendees to share the knowledge gained with citizens at the community level, especially in light of flood disaster predictions from federal agencies. The meeting aims to strengthen community resilience in the face of potential flooding. Additionally, Zubaida Umar, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), represented by Mr. Walter Brandon, mentioned that NEMA has implemented disaster mitigation strategies that include training local emergency responders and promoting rainwater harvesting. Sunny Jackson, Executive Secretary of SEMA, noted that the meeting would focus on preparing actions to minimize the impact of anticipated flooding.
