Kogi, Nasarawa, and Niger States have rolled out coordinated flood preparedness strategies to mitigate the anticipated impact of heavy rainfall, following alerts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
KOGI STATE: Government Unveils Comprehensive Flood Preparedness Plan
In Lokoja, the Kogi State Government said it is taking proactive steps to protect lives and property throughout the rainy season.
Mr. Muktar Atimah, Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that the state had developed a comprehensive flood preparedness plan.
Key components include:
Collaboration with NEMA to enhance staff capacity through training workshops and seminars.
Establishment of an emergency response framework, with dedicated units for search and rescue, ICT, disaster risk reduction, and logistics coordination.
Community sensitisation campaigns involving traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, and youth and women groups.
A media campaign in Hausa and three other indigenous languages to promote environmental responsibility, including clearing drainages.
Creation of a temporary warehouse for storing relief items.
Partnerships with NGOs such as the Red Cross, UN-IOM, and African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ).
Engagement with Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to ensure waterway safety.
Atimah added that post-flood rehabilitation plans are in place to support displaced persons after the rainy season.
Also speaking, Mr. Zakari Abubakar, Head of NEMA’s Abuja Operations Office, confirmed that the agency assessed flood-prone areas in Lokoja and Kabba in July and is working to release relief materials.
“Plans are underway to establish emergency operation centres across all 21 local government areas for transparent distribution of palliatives,” Abubakar said.
Mr. Abdullahi Abubakar, Acting Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) in Kogi, revealed that the European Humanitarian Aid (EHA) and EU are partnering with the IFRC to deliver integrated flood response interventions.
He warned residents in high-risk areas to heed early warnings and relocate to safer grounds:
“The flood will come, as predicted by NiMet. Prevention is always better than cure.”
