This was announced by NEMA spokesperson Ezekiel Manzo in a statement released in Abuja on behalf of the agency’s Director-General, Zubaida Umar.
“NEMA will continue to raise public awareness through grassroots awareness-building and public sensitization through advocacy and workshops on solid waste management to raise public awareness on the clearing of blocked drainages and waterways,” stated Umar.
“So far, based on statistics from the NEMA Emergency Operations Centre established for the flood monitoring and coordination of resource deployment, 27 states have been impacted, with a total of 227,494 persons affected and 32,837 houses damaged, as well as 16,488 hectares of farmland with crops also damaged.”
She urged State Emergency Management Agencies and community leaders to be prepared for rapid flood response and reassured farmers not to panic about the temporary dry spell, as it would end soon according to NiMet’s predictions.
Umar said communities at risk of flooding and those living along waterways should relocate to safer, higher grounds ahead of the peak of the rainy season.
She urged all parties involved, in particular SEMAs and community leaders, to be prepared to quickly activate flood plans and preparations in light of the rising number of flood incidents in several regions of the nation.
Nonetheless, the head of NEMA reiterated the organization’s resolve to organize and supply the required resources for effective disaster management throughout the nation. She added that NEMA was coordinating relief efforts with the several SEMAs and that the organization had quickly mobilized efforts to assess the damage caused by floods nationwide.
This demonstrates NEMA’s proactive approach and preparedness to handle the national emergency, the organization said in a statement.
“In response to the recent flood incidents that caused devastation in several communities nationwide, the National Emergency Management Agency has started working with the various state emergency management agencies to conduct an impact assessment and provide timely and appropriate support to the affected individuals.
“NEMA’s prompt action in responding to the flood incidents is a result of its early preparations, which included the deployment of search and rescue teams and the activation of all NEMA zonal and operation offices.”
“The organization has initiated the distribution of aid items to supplement the endeavors of the different state governments to offer assistance to individuals impacted by the flooding,” the statement read. Nigeria frequently experiences severe flooding, which is made worse by elements such as periodic rains, inadequate drainage systems, and deforestation.
During the rainy season, the nation endures severe floods, especially in low-lying areas and those close to rivers and the shore.
Blocked drainage systems are a common result of urbanization and poor waste management, which exacerbates the effects of flooding.
Climate change has made these problems worse recently by raising the frequency and intensity of flooding episodes.
Millions of people are impacted by the far-reaching effects, which include infrastructure and housing damage, interruptions to agriculture and livelihoods, and mass displacement.
Public awareness campaigns, early warning systems, and better infrastructure are some of the measures used to control and lessen flooding.
