The Nasarawa State Government has urged residents living in low-lying and flood-prone communities to vacate immediately and move to higher ground to prevent avoidable loss of lives and property during the ongoing rainy season.
Margaret Elayo, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, issued the warning on Saturday in Lafia after leading officials on an assessment of the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise. The directive comes against the backdrop of flooding forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), coupled with early signs of heavy rainfall already recorded in some parts of the country.
“We are partnering with chairmen of Local Government Areas and traditional rulers to show those affected by this relocation directive where they should go now for their safety,” Elayo said while speaking to journalists.
She explained that given the history of flooding in the state and predictions by NiMet, government could no longer wait for disaster to strike before taking action.
“They should pick up their valuables and leave their houses for now so that when flooding eventually happens, no lives will be lost,” she added.
Nasarawa has been identified among states vulnerable to seasonal flooding due to its terrain and inadequate drainage infrastructure. In recent years, torrential rains have led to submerged farmlands, collapsed houses, and even fatalities in parts of Lafia, Toto, and Doma local government areas.
The commissioner also expressed concern about poor sanitation habits contributing to blocked waterways. She warned residents against dumping refuse into drains or constructing buildings along flood paths.
“We have engaged the traditional and religious leaders, community heads, and we are sponsoring sensitisation programmes in the mass media to enlighten the public on the dangers of flooding and steps to avert it,” Elayo noted.
To support these efforts, she disclosed that the state’s recycling plant located in the Akurba community of Lafia would be revived to reduce waste on the streets.
“It is unacceptable for people to dump large refuse on the streets. Anyone found doing so will be sanctioned,” she warned.
Despite the ongoing cleanup campaigns, Elayo said the level of compliance by residents was not encouraging. She appealed for more cooperation, noting that good sanitation was essential to public health.
“If the environment is kept clean, it will guard against possible outbreak of some diseases, thereby ensuring improved healthy living of the people,” she said.
The commissioner reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to making Nasarawa one of the cleanest states in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment has intensified enforcement of its environmental laws. Abubakar Mohammed, Chief Prosecutor Officer in the ministry, disclosed that 168 persons were arrested statewide for violating sanitation regulations.
“These offenders were caught doing business while the monthly sanitation was ongoing, which is a breach of Section 9(2) of the State Environmental Sanitation Law,” Mohammed stated.
Under the law, movement and business activities are restricted during sanitation hours, typically observed on the last Saturday of every month.
Observers Times gathered that the affected persons would face mobile courts and may be required to pay fines or carry out community service, depending on the discretion of the magistrates.
