Gov. Sule, speech on the Occasion of the Distribution of Relief Materials to Victims of Flood Disaster in Nasarawa State, Lafia: Monday, 13th January, 2020

Speech Delivered by His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, Executive Governor of Nasarawa State on the Occasion of the Distribution of Relief Materials to Victims of Flood Disaster in Nasarawa State, Lafia: Monday, 13th January, 2020.

1. His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State;
2. The Right Hon. Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly;
3. The Hon. Chief Judge of Nasarawa State;
4. Principal Officers and Members of the State House of Assembly;
5. Members of the State Executive and Security Council;
6. The Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State;
7. The Head of the Civil Service;
8. Special Advisers;
9. The State Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC);
10. Permanent Secretaries;
11. His Royal Highness, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman, Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs;
12. Chairmen and Chief Executives of Commissions, Boards and Parastatals;
13. Executive Chairmen of Local Government Councils and Overseers of Development Areas present;
14. Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Chiefs;
15. Gentlemen of the Press;
16. Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is with gratitude to Almighty God that I address you today on the occasion of the flag-off of the Distribution of Relief Materials to Victims of Flood Disaster in Nasarawa State.

2. It would be recalled that the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Meteorological Agency (NIMET), in collaboration with the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), had last year issued warnings on flooding and also predicted that some communities are likely to be affected as a result of flood disaster before the end of the raining season.
3. As you are aware, flood is one of the effects of environmental degradation resulting to gully erosion with attendant negative consequences on human existence. You would recall that Nasarawa State like many other States in the country, witnessed flood disaster in some parts of the State.
4. It is imperative to state that the State is facing environmental challenges occasioned by mining activities, deforestation, over-grazing, as well as pollution through indiscriminate waste disposal. This phenomenon has continued to have negative effects on human lives, resulting to loss of lives, farm lands, household and destruction of public infrastructures worth billions of Naira.
5. It is for this reason that Government considered it imperative to distribute relief materials, particularly to the victims affected by the flood disaster. Accordingly, Government has embarked on mass sensitization and awareness campaigns, especially in the Local Government Areas and the flash-points of the State that are prone to flood disaster. This is with a view to take proactive measures to contain the situation in case of such eventualities.
6. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is pertinent to state that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), as directed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), embarked on sensitization of various areas that were affected by the flood disaster as a result of overflow from River-Benue, particularly, in the riverside communities of Doma, Keana, Karu, Wamba, Awe, Lafia, Obi, Nasarawa, Toto, among others Local Government Areas of the State.
7. I am happy to inform you that, just last week, the Federal Government has committed enormous resources, geared towards addressing the effects of erosion, flood and other environmental disaster in Roguwa and Saka communities of Karu Local Government Area of the State. Government will continue to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Environment in order to take advantage of its policies and programmes that are geared towards tackling environmental degradation.
8. At this juncture, let me appeal to the good people of Nasarawa State, particularly, the areas that are prone to flood disaster to take precautional measures, as well as educate ourselves on proper ways of refuse disposal, avoid erection of structures along drainage and waterways which will block free passage of running water before the raining season set in.
9. This will, no doubt, go a long way in ensuring free flow of water from our streets. I, therefore, urge the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency to continue to intensify campaigns of flood disaster and also synergize with the Local Government councils, as well as the traditional institutions in ensuring environmental management with a view to mitigating the calamity and the inherent devastating effects of the phenomenon.
10. Let me take the liberty of this occasion to express my profound appreciation to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other Donor Agencies for their humanitarian services in the society. I, therefore, wish to assure you of our continued partnership in our determination to improve the living conditions of the people for the socio-economic prosperity of the State.
11. On this note, it is my pleasure to flag-off the Distribution of Relief Materials to Victims of Flood Disaster in the affected communities in the State.
12. Thank you and may God bless us all.