The National Emergency Management Agency  (NEMA) has advised occupants of structures on Asa River banks in Ilorin and other flood-prone areas in Kwara State to relocate in their own interest.

This came to the fore at a sensitization programme  organised by the agency for the people of Afon, headquarters of Asa Local Government Area of the state.

Addressing the gathering, NEMA Assistant Coordinator, Abuja Operations Office, Mr Lugard Slaku, said the programme was to create awareness among flood-prone communities on the causes, effects and impacts of flooding.

Slaku added that the campaign was also aimed at taking "proactive measures against flood for the next rainy season," and promoting "safe practices amongst the people of the communities."

He advised the participants to use the knowledge gained at the programme to save the area from further losses occasioned by flooding and other related natural disasters.

The assistant coordinator also urged the rural dwellers to imbibe the spirit of brotherhood by accommodating victims of natural disasters and giving them other necessary assistance in their turbulent period, stressing that government alone could not do everything.

He stressed the need for adopting best practices in building constructions, electrical installations, refuse dump, and drainage system, saying: "if you can afford it, build flood barriers around your house.

"Dig trenches to control the water around the home and farmland in order to divert flood waters away from properties and farmland; during a rainfall, monitor river levels and make warning decision on when to evacuate. Two or more persons can volunteer."

Representatives of Red Cross Society of Nigeria and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps also educated the community on disaster management and risk reduction.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on Emergency and Relief Services, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, who declared the programme open, said the purpose of the sensitisation was to create awareness on the dangers inherent in flood disaster and put the community through on necessary measures to mitigate the impact of such incident.

The Special Adviser who was represented by the Secretary to the State Emergency and Relief Committee, Hajia Salamat Yahaya  thanked the state government for providing succour to victims of disasters across the state, even as she lauded the collaboration between SEMA and NEMA.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Asa Local Government Area, Dr Mufutau Bolaji Yahyah, said his council has provided relief materials to disasters victims.    

On his part, the Baale of Afon, Alhaji Adelodun Ibrahim, urged the state government to also ensure prompt response to emergency cases as well as improve on its disbursement of relief materials to the victims.

Ibrahim also called on the Federal Government to work out modalities capable of bringing down the cost of building materials to make them affordable.