On Thursday, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) issued a strong warning for residents in flood-prone areas across 27 Nigerian states to begin relocating immediately. The agency reported that the floods have caused extensive damage, affecting 32,837 homes and 16,488 hectares of farmland.
Mr. Manzo Ezekiel, NEMA’s spokesperson, announced this in a statement from Abuja. NEMA also noted that search and rescue teams are distributing essential relief supplies in collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs).
“Flooding has impacted 27 states, affecting 227,494 people and damaging 32,837 houses and 16,488 hectares of farmland. NEMA is carrying out assessments and delivering relief items to support the affected communities,” the statement said.
NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, stressed the urgency for communities in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground as the rainy season continues. She also called for increased public awareness on proper waste management to help prevent future flooding.
“The agency highlights the importance of public awareness on waste management to prevent flooding and advises at-risk communities to relocate to safer areas,” Umar said.
She reassured farmers about the temporary nature of the dry season, which will soon pass, and urged community leaders and stakeholders to implement swift response measures to address the ongoing flood threats.