The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), will train officials of Rivers State government on flood management in Geneva. This was disclosed by the Resident Representative of UNITAR, Mr. Larry Boms at the closing ceremony of a ten day Special training programme on flood disaster risk management with changing climate for stakeholders in flood disaster, organized by the State Government in conjunction with UNITAR in Port-Harcourt.
Mr. Boms pledged the organization’s resolve to continue to work with the State Government in the design and implementation of programmes that will impact on the lives of the people of the State and advised the participants to take advantage of the lessons learnt at the workshop to address flood disaster in the State. Speaking, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr Dickson Umunakwe, expressed confidence that with the lessons learnt at the workshop, the State will not be caught unaware should floods steps in, as predicted by the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),adding that the Ministry alongside other line ministries have been properly equipped with the capacity to contain disaster.
He stated that participants will be sent to the six flood prone LGAs namely Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Abua/Odual, Ogbema/Emgema/Ndoni, Akuku Toru, Degema and Andoni to re-train flood committee members in order to build resilience in the event of the flood. Barr. Umunakwe disclosed that the State Government will soon deploy a marine ambulance and six flying boats to flood LGAs as well as Hilux vans for easy evacuation of the would-be flood victims and also provide first hand medicare. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dame Mina Benebo, alongside other participants described the workshop as timely and commended the State Government for organizing the programme, noting that a lot has been learnt on how to effectively address the challenges of the impending flood as well as other risks disasters in the State.
