Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), has warned communities living along flood-prone areas in the state to suspend activities around those places.

Giving the warning, the state Director-General Ahmed Inga in a press statement on Thursday stated that Niger state was among the states predicted last week by NIMET to experience heavy rainfall between August and September 2021.

The statement further explained that in order to forestall any danger that may result in loss of lives, the agency has embarked on sensitizing the people, especially those by the river banks on the forecast in partnership with other relevant stakeholders in the state.

The DG argued that presently, it is better to direct resources towards pro-active strategies than a response to an emergency that does not only consume money but lives and properties.

“Niger State was among the states predicted last week by Nimet to experience intensive rains this month and next, the dam authorities have also notified the agency on the rising of water levels across the state.”

“The state has embarked on Community sensitization in collaboration with our major stakeholders which includes the traditional institutions, Ministries of Health, Environment, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Agriculture, NOA, and NISEPA,” he added.

The chairman further added that the agency has already mobilised all MDAs for emergency evacuations.

” Flood, as we all know, has been an occurring decimal in our state and as such, the need for inter-Agency and multi-discipline approach, strategies and collaboration cannot be overemphasized,” Inga maintained.