Lead Benue presents, Community Service,Flood Awareness & Prevention Outreach . Get more details here.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency Director General, Moses Beckley, has warned that 2017 floods will affect no fewer than 30 States in Nigeria. He said the floods would spread to many local government areas, and called on government at all levels to ensure early preparation. 

The states according to NIHSA are: Niger, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kwara, FCT, Kogi, Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Delta, Bayelsa, Imo, Rivers, Enugu, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Lagos, Ekiti, Abia, Cross River, Akwa-Ibom, Kano, Jigawa, and Edo.

Given that Benue is listed and from previous experiences, the govt failed to heed the early warning and act until the onset of the floods which led to massive destruction of properties, lives and displacement of persons. It is against this background that LEAD should mobilize and engage residents in flood prone areas to initiate some mitigating interventions.

Proposed Interventions
Clearing of blocked drainages within strategic locations in Makurdi Metropolis: LEAD Benue should take the lead on the weekend of 21st and 22nd of July in undertaking community service around major drainages in Wurukum, low level and Akpehe. 

This will both inspire residents to join as well as challenge the State government to mobilize the relevant department and agencies to embark on a more robust drainage clearing exercise.

Awareness creation:

 LEAD TEAM to consider a road show from Abinsi to terminate at Wurukum Market. The idea is to have a public-address system which will be used to enlighten residents along the flood prone axis about the impending floods likely expected from August. IEC materials in pigin English could be considered for sharing during the drive through.

Courtesy Visits: LEAD TEAM should within the same weekend consider courtesy calls on traditional leaders of key communities along the flood prone axis beginning with Ter Makurdi, Chief of Wadata, Chief of Wurukum, Chiefs of Mu, Abinsi and other similar community leaders. The courtesy calls will climax with visit to Harvest FM and Radio Benue during which we will appeal to them to use their CSR and place daily alert messages and jingles on why residents of flood areas need to look out for early warning signs and vacate their locations in time.

Finally, A state Press conference at the NUJ house in which we will sound out young people to embrace the culture of community service and see themselves grooming for service oriented leadership.