NEMA reaffirms dedication to tackling flooding, sensitizes rivers residents

Mrs Zubaida Umar, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says the agency is committed to deepening efforts towards surmounting flooding in affected areas across the country.

Umar stated this on Wednesday in Port Harcourt at a sensitisation programme tagged: “Downscaling Flood Early Warning Strategies to the Grassroots in Rivers State”, represented by Dr Daniel Obot, Director, Disaster Risk Management, the D-G said that the programme was informed by the 2024 flood outlook prediction by the Nigerian Methodological Agency (NiMet).

”NIMET and the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency, predicted that some local government areas in Rivers will fall under high and moderate probable flooding, that is why we are here today,” she said

She said that NiMet listed 13 local government areas in Rivers as flood-prone in its 2024 outlook.

She listed the areas with probable high and moderate flood risk to include; Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Degema, Emuoha, Oyigbo, Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni, Bonny, Port Harcourt, Okrika, amongst others.

Umar said that the essence of the programme was to educate residents of the state on possible actions and the need for communities to comply with early warning alerts.

The NEMA boss called for community-wide participation in the campaign to surmount the impact of flooding in the state

She reaffirmed the support of the agency in the area of supplies, safeguarding and ensuring uninterrupted socio-economic activities during the period.

”We have come to educate residents of the state on actions to take and the need for communities to comply with these early warning alerts.

”We are satisfied with the collaboration so far. It’s a welcome development to see sister organisations, security agencies, government and individuals coming to brainstorm on risk reduction measures.

”For us, we have taken stock of the past, we have identified the gaps, so our strategies in 2024 will be to address those gaps,” she said

Speaking at the event, Mr Tamunosiki Ogbanga, Director, Emergency/Disaster Management, Rivers Ministry of Special Duties, advised residents to take precautionary measures in order to avoid loss of lives and property.

He urged residents of the state to avoid acts capable of blocking the drains and effective flow of rainwater.

Mr Adebiyi Rasak, South-South Zonal Coordinator, NEMA, said the agency had taken timely and proactive steps in preparation for the flood prediction.

”Towards the end of the year, there will be a peak period when flood will impact on these communities, we are aware of this

“So we are making sure of essentials, such as makeshift camps and stockpiles of food in these areas to support the affected people.

”We are getting them aware and also ensuring that the state emergency management agency activates emergency operation centers in collaboration with NEMA and other stakeholders,”he said.

The zonal coordinator urged residents of the affected communities to be more environment-friendly in order to reduce the impact of the flooding.