The Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu, has warned communities in the state to refrain from activities that could lead to flooding in their areas.
He also advised them to liaise with the Local Emergency Management Committees as soon as they detect sources of flooding to ensure they are checked and managed promptly.
Chief Iwu spoke at the weekend when he declared open a one-day sensitisation seminar organised by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs).
The seminar was organised to prepare LEMCs ahead of NiMet’s 2026 flood predictions across Nigeria.
Chief Iwu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Economic Affairs, in his office, Mr Joseph Odoemenam, noted that while Governor Hope Uzodimma was always prepared to support SEMA in responding to emergencies, including flooding, in any part of the state, it was incumbent on communities to shun acts capable of aggravating natural disasters.
“The blocking of drainage channels and waterways is the most common cause of flooding. Beam your searchlight on it by educating communities on the danger posed by such an unsavoury activity,” he told the participants.
He also charged them to take the seminar seriously in order to improve their service delivery and add value to disaster management.
The SSG expressed satisfaction with the theme of the seminar, “Proactive Measures for 2026 Seasonal Climate Preparedness and Mitigation Strategies,” saying it would give participants an inkling of how to respond effectively during emergencies.
Said he: “As people who manage these issues, both SEMA and the local government arms have to embrace preparedness initiatives to strengthen local disaster response, especially in flood-prone areas like Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema LGAs.”
Chief Iwu announced that Governor Hope Uzodimma had approved that the participants, drawn from the 27 local government areas of the state, be equipped with working tools to enable them to proactively mitigate the effects of flooding and other disasters.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mrs Akunna Ukaegbu, highlighted NiMet’s predictions and educated LEMC members on their specific roles in their various local government areas and autonomous communities.
She expressed confidence that with the level of preparedness by the Imo State Government, the state would not be caught off guard. She noted that rainfall this year is expected to be normal to above normal, with early cessation.
She equally reminded the LEMC members to inform farmers in their respective communities of the need to plant early this year, using crops that mature early.
Also addressing the participants, the Head of Operations, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Imo State, Mr Nnamdi Igwe, who was one of the resource persons, lectured on proactive measures, personal protective equipment, and expectations of LEMC members in mitigating the impact of flooding.
He stressed that the government alone could not do it and called for community participation in clearing their surroundings and avoiding the blockage of drainage systems with refuse.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the ALGON Chairman in Imo State, the Executive Chairman of Onuimo LGA, Chief Dr Obi Paul Emeka, pledged the support of all local government chairmen for LEMC members.
He said the support would ensure that proactive measures are put in place so that Imo, though identified as a flood-prone state, would not be at high risk of flooding.
The seminar ended with one of the participants, Star Lady Ijeoma Okeke from Obowo LGA, who, on behalf of the LEMCs, in her vote of thanks, promised to take early warning messages back to their wards and communities.
