The Nasarawa State Government has advised residents living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer, higher grounds as part of proactive efforts to prevent loss of lives and property during the 2024 rainy season.
Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Margaret Elayo, issued the directive on Saturday in Lafia while addressing journalists after monitoring the May edition of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Elayo said the decision was prompted by recent flood predictions issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) as well as the state’s past experiences with devastating floods.
“With some states already experiencing flooding, there is an urgent need for vulnerable individuals to act now. We are working closely with Local Government Chairmen and traditional rulers to guide affected residents to designated safe zones,” she stated.
She urged residents in affected areas to secure their valuables and vacate their homes temporarily, stressing that the goal is to prevent fatalities in the event of severe flooding.
The Commissioner also warned against harmful environmental practices, including dumping refuse in drains and constructing buildings on waterways—both of which contribute to flooding risks.
In a bid to bolster public awareness, Elayo revealed that the ministry is intensifying sensitisation campaigns through partnerships with traditional, religious, and community leaders, alongside mass media engagement.
She also disclosed plans to operationalise the recycling plant in Akurba, Lafia, as a measure to reduce indiscriminate refuse disposal and promote environmental hygiene. She condemned the continued dumping of waste on streets, warning that violators would face sanctions.
Expressing concern over the low level of compliance with the sanitation exercise, Elayo appealed for increased public cooperation. “A clean environment is essential for preventing disease outbreaks and ensuring better public health,” she noted.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to making Nasarawa one of the cleanest states in the country.
Meanwhile, Abubakar Mohammed, Chief Prosecutor Officer at the ministry, revealed that 168 individuals were arrested across the state for flouting sanitation regulations. The offenders were reportedly engaged in commercial activities during the sanitation hours, in violation of Section 9(2) of the State Environmental Sanitation Law.
