Flooding: NEMA, FRSC, Red Cross, others to roll out early warning policy document

Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Ahmed, on Tuesday, reiterated commitment towards the development of early-warning messages with a view to reduce risks associated with disasters across the country.

Ahmed gave the assurance at the opening of the two-day Experts’ Technical workshop on Disaster Risk Management Implication of NIMET’s 2022 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), drawn from the Nigerian Red Cross, Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), among others.

The NEMA helmsman who was represented by Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, Alhaji Alhassan Nuhu explained that the meeting of the Experts drawn from various agencies was aimed at analysing the 2022 seasonal climate prediction (SCP) released by Nigerian Metrological Agency (NimeT), with a view to stimulate early action against climate risks.

“This gathering has become more relevant considering our past experience of unprecedented flood and other disasters that had affected several states of Nigeria and wreaked havoc on communities and drastically affected our collective disaster resilience.

“The impact of these hazards on lives, properties and environment depends on the country’s level of preparedness which to a large extent relies on efficient early warning systems for early action by the responsible stakeholders.

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“I am convinced that the articulated early warning message which shall be developed in collaboration with stakeholders here will help to prepare States’ Chief Executives, State Emergency Management Agencies, Local Emergency Management Committees and other stakeholders to take the necessary action required to facilitate risk reduction in their respective jurisdictions.

“NEMA will also continue to map vulnerable communities based on the prediction as indicated by our climate risk monitoring agencies to enhance ad direct enlightenment campaign in critical states,” he noted.

On his part, NEMA’s Director of Planning, Research & Forecasting, Dr Vincent Owan, assured that the outcome of the workshop will be captured in the document when to be developed, and will be used by stakeholders to prepare, mitigate and respond to climate-induced disasters.

According to him, “Stakeholders with experience in the field of Agriculture, Health, Water Resources and Infrastructure have been brought together to brainstorm on the 2022 SCP so as to come up with a document on Disaster Risk Implications for the purpose of developing Early Warning messages.

“The Annual Flood Outlook which will be released by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) will further guide NEMA and other stakeholders in disaster management activities in the country.

“I wish to therefore use this opportunity to reiterate the unwavering commitment of NEMA towards continuously building the capacities of both its staff and stakeholders through sensitization, training, simulation exercises and sustained collaboration.

“Once more, allow me to thank you all for the continuous cooperation your Agencies have rendered to NEMA in this demanding task of coordinating emergency preparedness, mitigation, response and building resilient communities in Nigeria.

“It is my hope that this laudable support will be sustained with the understanding that Disaster Management is multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplinary and by implication a multi-stakeholder endeavour,” Dr Owan noted.

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Flooding: NEMA, FRSC, Red Cross, others to roll out early warning policy document

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Flooding: NEMA, FRSC, Red Cross, others to roll out early warning policy document