Christian Aid in collaboration with stakeholders yesterday sensitised residents of Romi community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on flood preparedness to reduce risk to lives and property.
The campaign, carried out under the Disaster Risk Reduction Project, was supported by the European Union, Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, and the National Orientation Agency, NOA.
Programme Officer of the project, Mr Michael Oboh, said the exercise is aimed at raising awareness on the dangers of flooding, often worsened by human activities such as indiscriminate waste disposal.
He identified Sarkin Yaki and Shamaki streets in Ungwan Sule, Romi, as flood-prone areas, noting that clogged waterways from improper refuse disposal frequently cause rivers to overflow into houses.
Oboh urged residents of the community to prepare ahead of the rainy season by clearing their surroundings and avoiding settlement along waterways to safeguard lives and property.
The Assistant Director, Environment, Climate and Energy Department, Mrs Rahama Suleiman, described the sensitisation as timely, given NiMet’s 2025 alert that listed Kaduna among the 29 flood-prone states.
She said blocked drainages observed in Romi underscore the need for continuous awareness and strict enforcement of sanitation laws to prevent residents from endangering lives through indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
The Director of Education and Social Development, Chikun Local Government, Mrs Ruth Markus, said the exercise aligns with the council’s efforts to promote environmental cleanliness.
She expressed concern that Romi residents are yet to fully comply with measures introduced by the council through the chiefdom, area committees and health committees.
Markus urged residents to embrace good sanitation practices not only to prevent flooding, but also to promote public health, stressing that “a healthy environment is a godly environment.”
She added that the council, in collaboration with SEMA and Christian Aid, had stepped down trainings to communities and expect greater compliance to avoid devastating floods.
Comptroller-General of Safety Awareness and Environmental Support Initiative, Mr Yahaya Mohammed, commended the turnout of residents, describing the exercise as successful despite rainfall during the campaign.
He lauded the collaboration of partners, including SEMA, NOA and the media, stressing that sustained community engagement remains critical to reducing flood risks in the state. (NAN)
