The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has pledged to enhance collaboration and interventions to combat the anticipated floods in Rivers and 34 other states.
NEMA highlighted that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predicted that 35 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 249 local government areas, are at risk of flooding in 2024.
NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, emphasized this during a sensitization event in Port Harcourt titled “Downscaling Flood Early Warning Strategies to the Grassroots in Rivers State.” Represented by Daniel Obot, Director of Disaster Risk Management, Umar noted that 13 local government areas in Rivers are flood-prone according to NIMET’s prediction.
The LGAs identified with probable high and moderate flood risks include Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Degema, Emuoha, Oyigbo, Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni, Bonny, Port Harcourt, and Okrika.
NEMA called for extensive community participation and reaffirmed its commitment to providing supplies, safeguarding, and ensuring uninterrupted socio-economic activities during disasters.
“NIMET and the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NHISA) have predicted that some local government areas in Rivers will experience high and moderate flooding. That’s why we are here today,” said Obot.
“We aim to educate residents of Rivers on necessary actions and the importance of adhering to early warning alerts. We are encouraged by the collaboration seen so far among sister agencies, security agencies, government, and individuals in risk reduction.”
Director of Emergency/Disaster Management at the State Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Tamunosiki Ogbanga, advised residents to take precautionary measures to prevent loss of life during the rainy season, including desilting drains and waterways.
South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr. Adebiyi Rasak, praised the agency’s preparedness, describing it as timely. “Towards the end of the year, there will be a peak period when floods will impact these communities. We are ensuring essentials and likely stockpiles of food in these areas,” he said.
Rasak urged affected communities to improve their preparation, focusing on sanitation, desilting water channels, and proper disposal and management of plastic waste.
