He National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it has taken “robust, proactive steps” to contain flooding in southeastern states, especially those in riparian and lowland communities.
NEMA South East Coordinator Ngozi Echeazu revealed this to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Sunday while answering questions about NEMA’s practical measures to contain and reduce the impact of flooding in the area.
Ms. Echeazu said that NEMA, in collaboration with the relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), was monitoring the water levels in the main rivers of the states in the area.
The NEMA coordinator said: “Practical measures taken by NEMA include monitoring the water level of major rivers, especially the Niger River.
“This is done correctly to determine when to start the evacuation, as we have already identified higher ground or internally displaced persons (IDP) camps for temporary shelter.
“NEMA is committed to updating the public through media advertising on seasonal weather prediction and annual flood prospects, as well as raising awareness of riparian communities, in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency. about the importance of clearing blocked drainage systems and removing structures in floodplains. .”
He said there was awareness of early planting and harvesting of agricultural products to reduce the huge losses associated with flooding and the massive mobilization of all available human and material resources to help save lives and property.
Ms. Echeazu said the agency had finalized plans to get help and support for its rapid response plan to the floods.
“There is a plan with other relevant agencies, including the military and paramilitaries, in the area of coordination/support, information management, resource mobilization, and evacuation.
“They will also support NEMA in terms of security/intelligence, incident management, weather forecasting, and survival support and media control, among others.
“The plans are also detailed in the NEMA policy document,” he said.
Distribution of relief materials.
Regarding the distribution of relief materials, Ms. Echeazu noted that NEMA had always been directly involved in the distribution of relief materials to beneficiaries.
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He said NEMA and SEMA officials typically distribute approved relief materials directly to affected individuals and communities, despite the ceremonial delivery of such materials to state governments.
“Whenever a disaster is reported, NEMA, in collaboration with SEMA, conducts an assessment to confirm the level of the disaster.
“The assessment also determines the remote/immediate cause, the damages/needs of affected people, the list of affected people, and makes appropriate recommendations.
“Thereafter, NEMA provides relief materials for those who were affected by the disaster, whose names were registered and not for the entire population,” he added.
(YAYA)
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