he Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Muhammad Sidi, has called for collaborative efforts of all stakeholders to reduce the destructions usually caused by flooding to many communities in the country.

Sidi, who was represented by the Head, Minna Operations Office, NEMA, Mr. Slaku Bijimi, spoke during ‘a pre-flood awareness campaign toward early warning and early action’ in Ilorin on Friday.

He stated that floods, which were nature-induced disasters, had become common and persistent, claiming lots of lives and causing serious damage to property and the environment.

According to him, identification and adherence to early warnings will, to a great extent, help reduce the impact of flood disasters in the various communities.

Sidi stated that continuous and effective collaboration would also reduce risk of disasters in the country to the barest minimum.

He called on state governments to activate disaster prevention management agencies at the local government level, because they were nearer to disasters and should be greatly involved by committing efforts to reducing disasters and mitigating their destructive impacts on residents and their properties.

Sidi said, “Flooding, like other disasters, should be everybody’s business. Communities are likely to become more vulnerable as they expand as part of development.

“We must take time to identify and test community-based early warning systems as part of effective measures for preventing and preparing for floods and other disasters.”

The Administrative Secretary, Kwara State Emergency Management Agency, Hajia Salamat Yahaya, said the consequences of flooding and its devastating effects on lives and properties could not be over-emphasized.

She stated that it behoved on all stakeholders to be conscious of the causes and impacts of floods and have essential and adequate knowledge about control and available mitigating measures.