Flood: KADSEMA warns residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse

The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA), has warned residents of the state against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages to avert flood disaster and outbreak of diseases.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr Muhammed Mukaddas, gave the warning on Tuesday, while inspecting refuse evacuation in Sabon Tasha, Chikun Local Government Area.

It was reported that the refuse evacuation exercise was organised by KADSEMA in collaboration with the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority.

According to him, the evacuation became necessary to avert flooding and other forms of disaster, following flood prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), in some parts of the country.

He expressed concern over the heaps of refuse in the area, which could be washed by rains into drains, a development he said, could lead to flooding.

“We are here to ensure that this pile of garbage is cleared to avert flooding and the eventual outbreak of preventable diseases.”

“This is in line with KADSEMA’s mandated, to coordinate all stakeholders in emergency management, to ensure that disasters are mitigated,” he said.

The SEMA boss called on the residents to inculcate the attitude of keeping their environment clean, through appropriate refuse disposal.

He also called on the people to report any heap of refuse to the appropriate authority for prompt evacuation.

Mukaddas equally called on all stakeholders to join hands in the ongoing disaster risk reduction efforts.

This, according to him, will help in flood prevention, particularly in prone areas.

A shop owner at Sabo Market, Mrs Lami Umar, commended KADSEMA and the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority, for evacuating the refuse.

“Now we can have a breath of fresh air,” she said.

Umar advised the authorities to relocate the refuse collection station to a less populated area to keep the environment clean.