The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Mustapha Ahmed, has been invited by the House of Representatives to discuss the country’s 2023 flood predictions.
This invitation came after a motion presented by Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila during the Abuja plenary on Wednesday. Gbajabiamila emphasized the importance of NEMA briefing the House on their measures to prevent flood disasters and manage the socio-economic impact on people living in flood-prone areas. He highlighted the recurring annual flooding in a significant portion of the country, causing extensive devastation to lives and property.
Gbajabiamila mentioned that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency had forecasted an early onset of rain and heavy rainfall throughout the season. He expressed concern regarding the 2023 annual flood outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, which identified 178 Local Government Areas in 32 states and the FCT as highly probable flood risk areas.
Referring to the aftermath of the 2022 flood, which affected millions of people, displaced millions more, and caused numerous deaths, Gbajabiamila stressed the need for proactive measures to mitigate the loss of lives and the socio-economic hardships caused by recurring flooding. He urged the Federal Government to collaborate with relevant agencies to relocate individuals from flood-prone areas and ensure sufficient temporary shelter materials, food, nutrition items, and medicine to support those affected. Additionally, the House encouraged effective communication and collaboration between the federal and state governments to prevent flooding in the country, calling on NEMA to play a role in facilitating this coordination.
