NEMA calls for preventive measures against flooding
The director-general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, has emphasised the need for proactive measures against the predicted 2024 flood disaster.
Addressing stakeholders at the National Emergency Coordination Forum (ECF) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Ms Umar highlighted the importance of early warning backed by early action to mitigate the impact of disasters.
The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) predicted floods in high-risk areas in several states and local government areas (LGAs) from April to November.
“The prediction informed that in April, May, and June, 25 states and 72 local government areas (LGAs) are within flood-high-risk areas, indicating heightened vulnerability to flooding.
“This vulnerability is said to persist into subsequent months of July to September with 33 States and 135 LGAs identified as high-risk areas, while the period between October and November has 19 States and 44 LGAs,” she said.
Following the predictions, NEMA convened an experts’ technical meeting to analyse the disaster management implications and develop a 2024 climate-related disaster preparedness and mitigation strategy.
“Based on the predictions, various recommendations have been made as preparedness and mitigation actions to be taken by relevant stakeholders to reduce possible impacts.
“This also serves as an early warning message to the general public,” she said.
Recommendations include community sensitisation, clearing waterways, monitoring dam discharge, and relocating flood-prone communities.
Ms Umar urged stakeholders to take the recommendations seriously to prevent loss of lives and property.
The DG emphasised the need for regular coordination meetings among emergency sectors to respond to adverse climate-related situations effectively.
She then called on all participants to disseminate the messages to grassroots levels for appropriate action.
Ms Umar reiterated NEMA’s commitment to reducing the impact of predicted flooding and providing necessary support to affected persons.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Four killed in Sokoto rainstorm
According to NEMA, many homes and critical public infrastructure, including one primary school and one hospital, were damaged.
Economy
Stakeholders push policy retention as CBN’s monetary policy committee meets
In its 305th meeting in May, the MPC retained the monetary policy rate at 26.5 per cent.
States
Man seeks court order for access to two-year-old son
The judge adjourned the case until August 11 for mention.
States
Police foil cult initiation in Delta, recover firearms
The police spokesman said recovered exhibits included one pump-action gun, one cut-to-size double-barrelled gun, seven live cartridges and two expended cartridges.
Lagos
Sanwo-Olu pays N3.1 billion compensation to 300 Lagos property owners
Mr Sanwo-Olu presented more than N3.1 billion in compensation to over 300 property owners affected by government land acquisition.
Economy
FG pledges policy support for sustainable aviation fuel
He stated that while aviation remains critical to economic growth, the sector must also contribute meaningfully to global efforts to address climate change.
