By Rita Iliya
The management of North South Power Company Limited (NSPCL) in Niger, has sensitised communities around the Shiroro Hydro-Electric Power Plant to desist from water-based activities.
Mr Olubunmi Peters, the Vice Chairman NSPCL gave the warning during the annual stakeholders’ flood sensitisation and awareness forum in Minna on Thursday.
Peters, represented by Abdullahi Hassan, a consultant on Corporate Social Responsibility to NSPCL, said that the communities at risk of flood were those living upstream and downstream of the dam.
He said that the forum was to sensitise and educate communities and people involved in water-based activities upstream and downstream of the plant on environmental hazard caused by flooding.
“This is to also sensitise people to the possible ways to reduce the devastating damages to lives and property.
“As part efforts to curtail the reoccurrence of flood, stakeholders need to institute appropriate measures by developing new strategies and effective remedies to flooding,” he said.
He emphasised the need for government to start intensive desilting of drains and flood channels across the state as well as intensify climate information services, especially to farmers.
Peters gave assurances that NSPCL would continue to contribute to the welfare and development of host communities, urging them to always embrace dialogue in settling disputes.
Earlier, Mr Ugochukwu Chioke, Chief Operating Officer, NSPCL, said that the forum was to create awareness for communities upstream and downstream of the plant on flood related issues.
He said the forum seek to promote a culture of flood resilience and preparedness amongst the target audience by equipping them with knowledge and right skills to respond effectively to flood.
In his remarks, Alhaji Aminu Kuchi, Chairman of Munya Local Government Area, disclosed that four wards of Kuchi, Guni, Sarkin-pawa and Dangunu usually experience floods annually.
He said the sensitisation exercise would enable flood prone communities to stay alert and avoid engaging in water-based activities that would endanger their lives at the peak of the rains.
Also, the District Head of Guni in Munya council, Usman Umar, said the sensitisation was apt as some communities had started experiencing flood with rice, maize and yams farms flooded. (NAN)
