NEMA Warns That 32 States, 233 LGAs Are Prone To Flooding In 2022
The National Emergency Management Agency has warned that 233 local government areas in 32 states and FCT will experience flooding in 2022.
NEMA Director-General, Mr Mustapha Ahmed, disclosed this at a national consultative workshop on 2022 Flood Preparedness, Mitigation and Response organised by the agency yesterday in Abuja.
Ahmed said the workshop was one of the steps outlined by the agency to bring stakeholders together, to collectively prepare and provide strategies to strengthen flood risk mitigation and effective response.
“This followed the 2022 Seasonal Climate Prediction released by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Annual Flood Outlook released by Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). Efforts must be made to mitigate and respond effectively to flooding.
“We have sent advisory letters and maps showing predicted flood risk areas in various states to the respective state governments. We have also produced risk maps for vulnerable local government areas as forecasted by NIHSA’s Annual Flood Outlook,” he said.
He stressed the need for State Emergency Management Agencies as well as Local Emergency Management Committees to be proactive in tackling the challenge, and ensure effective and efficient flood preparedness, mitigation and response.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Farouq, also urged relevant stakeholders to take proactive measures in addressing flood and its associated challenges.
Farouq, represented by the Deputy Director, Disaster Management in the ministry, Dr Abubakar Suleiman, advocated that adequate information be sent out to the public for effective preparation.
