Sandbags distributed by the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government are for flood protection, not for chicken feed or rubbish disposal.
That’s the message from Minister Khadijah Ameen as the Ministry rolls out 90,000 sandbags across the country to help residents during the rainy season.
Speaking to the media following a meeting with Disaster Managers from all 14 Regional Corporations on Wednesday, the Minister urged citizens to take full advantage of the opportunity.
“We are not distributing bags. We are distributing sandbags. There are people who come, collect empty bags, and use it for chicken feed or use it to fill rubbish around the house. The bags are not for that. So therefore, our Corporations are encouraged as far as necessary, do not issue empty bags, but issue bags that are filled with sand to the public. These are sandbags. There’s a cost to it, and we must ensure that those who need sandbags get the protection that they require during a flood period.”
The sandbags are free of charge to residents in flood-prone areas, with collection points set up in every region.
“The Ministry will be distributing an additional 90,000 sandbags that is going to be free to the public. We have advertised locations in every region, our Disaster Management Units will distribute sandbags, but within every Corporation, there are also several collection points. We are asking persons who know you live in flood-prone areas: do not wait until the water is at your doorstep to come for sandbags.”