The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) says it is prepared for the flood opening as  Cameroun is set to open the flood gates of Lagdo Dam on the Benue River.

The LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement on Monday,  said the agency was fully prepared for the flood opening.

“In line with the paradigm shift from response to effective and efficient disaster management ,preparedness and prevention, the state  has carried out holistic measures.

“This holistic measures include the sensitisation and advocacy in historically affected areas and empowerment of local emergency management committees.

“This also includes strengthening of the early warning systems and clearing of drainage and gutters at the state and local government area  levels.

“We remain at high alert with improved infrastructure to manage any imminent challenges,” he said.

He, however, appealed to residents to remain calm.

The Newsmen recalls  that there had been alert over a possible flood along the River Benue basin in a few days.

The alert was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a letter dated Aug. 21,  and signed by Umar Salisu, the ministry’s Director of African Affairs.

Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office (EPO), Mr Shehu Ibrahim, says the Federal Government is planning a holistic approach to end the flooding menace in the Trademore Mega-City Estate and its environs.

Ibrahim said this in a statement issued sequel to the on-the-spot assessment tour of the flood-ravaged Abuja estate and its environs.

The statement signed by Mrs Eno Olotu and issued to journalists on Tuesday, quoted Ibrahim as saying that the tour was to enable EPO put up a comprehensive report  for government’s  further action.

Recall that the incident occured on Friday and left the estate located along Airport road badly hit.

Ibrahim decried the level of devastation caused by the flood,  adding that the problem was beyond the capacity of one agency of government.

He said the challenge required collaboration with sister agencies to come up with a comprehensive plan  of intervention.

“From our own assessment two factors are responsible for the flood – human and natural factors.

“It is something that will go beyond one agency, so we are looking at areas we need to come in and intervene and will liaise with other sister government agencies.

“Agencies like the Federal Capital Development Agency (FCDA), Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Federal Ministry of Environment must work together.

“We must come up with a comprehensive plan to see how we can address this issue and avoid a future occurrence,” he said.

Ibrahim, who said the natural factor resulted from raining season, blamed the human factor on compromise by the developers as well as indiscriminate dumping of refuse on waterways by residents.

He advised on crucial and proper sensitisation on change of attitude.

“The assessment tour is part of the Federal Government’s proactive efforts to hasten the provision of a lasting solution to flooding in the area.

“Government will do its best to intervene on ecological issues and also send officers to go round to assess other areas affected.

“Government cannot sit down and allow things like this to happen,” lbrahim said.

Some women in Kaduna State have begun planting of 5,000 trees in 220 primary and secondary schools in Kaduna State, as part of environmental sustainability strategy to combat climate change.

The tree planning was part of a four-day training on Green Microenterprise Development organised by the Women Initiative for Sustainable Environment (WISE), an NGO, for women and youths’ groups.

The founder and Programme Director of the NGO, Mrs Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, said that the goal of the tree planting campaign was to contribute to minimising the effects of climate change.

Olugboji-Daramola said that the trees would be planted in 140 secondary schools and 80 primary schools in partnership with the state Ministry for Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board.

She added that the tree planting and the promotion of the energy efficient and environmentally friendly cookstoves, was under the WISE’s Nigeria COVID-19 and Climate Resilience Programme.

She added that the programme was being funded by Women Earth Alliance, a United States-based NGO, who equally provides leadership, strategy, and technical support.

“The programme is assisting women leaders to scale their climate and environmental initiatives, while connecting them to a global alliance of peers, mentors, and funders.

“It is designed to build the capacity of women in social entrepreneurship and reusable energy to foster a clean and safe environment,” she said.

The programme Director said that the tree planning campaign would be concluded in July.

She disclosed that a Green Microfinance, a fourth component of the COVID-19 and Climate Resilience Programme would be launched in August.

One of the women, Mrs Torkwase Ordam, lauded WISE for the enlightenment on environmental conservation through planting of trees.

Ordam said that the four-day training has exposed her to different kinds of economic trees that could be cultivated for economic benefits while also combating climate change.

She described the training as an “eye opener” and pledged to plant more trees and nourish them to maturity.

She thanked WISE for the opportunity, noting that women were at the receiving end of climate change challenges.

Another participant, Mrs Hauwa Adamu, said she has learned different ways that women could contribute to conserving the earth, particularly through tree planting.

Adamu said she would plant economic trees in her house for economic benefits while ensuring a greener atmosphere in her neighborhood.

On her part, Mrs Magdalene Musa, pledged to step down the training to ensure women in her community play a vital role in conserving the environment.