The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has heightened its flood risk management efforts across Nigeria as the rainy season intensifies.
Director General Zubaida Umar has activated all Zonal, Territorial, and Operation offices nationwide to collaborate with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) in conducting rescue operations and situation assessments.
NEMA’s statement on Sunday revealed that its offices are strategically located in 17 cities across the country, including Lagos, Ibadan, Ekiti, Abuja, Minna, Jos, Enugu, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Edo, Uyo, Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Yola, and Gombe.
To facilitate public communication, the agency has established a toll-free emergency contact line: 0800CALLNEMA (080022556362), complemented by its social media platforms for nationwide feedback.
Zubaida Umar emphasized the agency’s proactive approach, stating, “The rescue efforts by NEMA are in addition to the ongoing sensitization and awareness activities being carried out to alert the public of the predicted flood for necessary actions to be taken to avert negative impacts.”
As part of her flood advocacy efforts, Umar visited Anambra State on July 3rd, meeting with the Deputy Governor and community leaders to discuss flood mitigation strategies. Similar visits to other states are planned.
NEMA’s preparedness measures have included media engagement through flood sensitization jingles and an emergency coordination forum with stakeholders.
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The agency has also written to state governments, providing lists of at-risk local governments and outlining necessary preventive actions.
“A number of states that heeded the advisory from NEMA have acknowledged their early actions matched with the warnings and NEMA responses that have made lots of differences,” the agency reported.
As the rainy season progresses, NEMA reiterates its flood warning and calls on all stakeholders, including state and local governments, to be prepared for intensifying rainfall.
