The National Leader of Niger Delta Youth Development Crusaders, NDYDC, Comrade Ani John popularly known as Abala 1, has called on Governors of the Niger Delta states and the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, of the Niger Delta States, Local Government Councils and other relevant bodies and stakeholders in the region, to be on the alert with their flood management and disaster reduction mechanism as the flood moves down to the Niger Delta region.
Comrade Ani John who decried the poor management and methods used to reduce and prevent the detrimental effect of flood on our environment and the people in the past, charged government and other relevant agencies to up their game by putting in place, effective flood control and disaster management measures to reduce the impact of the coming flood.
Expressing his worries on how flooding is becoming an annual environmental crisis that has left a dire socio-economic impacts and consequences in the country, the Niger Delta Youth Leader, who is popularly known as Abala 1 of Niger Delta, advised Government and relevant stakeholders to begin to gather relief materials and prepare IDP Camps ahead of the flood, saying adequate preparations, is what will help in ameliorating the plight of flood victims in the oil rich region.
He said the magnitude and inpact of the flood, would depend on the availability of drainage systems and strict compliance to urban planning regulations.
Ani John, therefore advised the people to open up all drainage channels to allow the free flow of flood waters and those living in flood affected areas to start making plans to relocate and ensure that objects that will be hazardous to the environment when come in contact with water, are moved to higher grounds.
The youths leader also used the opportunity to call on youths of the Niger Delta Region to always be peaceful in their demands and work in unity, stressing that nothing can hinder or oppress the Niger Deltans when they are united and peaceful.
