Flood Crisis: Federal Government Advocates Sustainable Mitigation Interventions

By Praise Chinecherem

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture And Rural Development has underscored the importance of stakeholders enabled intervention measures to mitigate incidences of flooding across the nation.

Team Leader and Assistant Chief Agricultural Officer (FMARD), Chinyere Ihedioha, stated this at a One Day Sensitisation Program for Farmers and Extension Agents on Causes, Consequences and Mitigation of Flood held at Ministry of Agriculture, Complex, Awka.

She identified causes of flooding to include heavy prolonged rainfall, infiltration capacity and deforestation, stressing that the event was to build capacity of participants to tackle the challenge.

Members of the team who took turns to speak during the programme called for needed support services for communities suffering consequences of floods every year to relocate permanently.

“Communities should increase cultivation and vegetation practices to improve food security.Good plans should be provided by the government and cooperatives.Areas such as wetlands can be protected by local municipalities by preventing development in those areas.

“We can spread awareness among people about the efficiency of tree planting in preventing floods. Moreover, we can encourage them to plant more trees to cancel the effects.

“Strong large dams can be constructed and agricultural labourers can utilize stored water for irrigation”

While canvassing for healthy agricultural practices to protect the soil from flooding, Desk Officer, FMARD, Vincent Okeke, said there was need for synergy to prevent socio economic effects occasioned by the disaster.

Earlier, Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Foster Ihejiofor, represented by Programme Manager, Agricultural Development Project, MrJude Nwankwo, described the event as apt and urged participants to make good use of knowledge gained to effect positive changes.

One of the participants, Mr Godwin Akujieze commended the organizers for considering it proper to stage event and urged them to make it regular exercise to fully impact on their lives and communities.