Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, attended the National Economic Council Meeting (NEC) where the Council deliberated on the urgent need for sustained action on State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) against looming floods across the various states in the country as the raining season intensifies.
After lengthy, drawn-out deliberations, NEC on Thursday called for a full operationalisation of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) and a strict adherence to and enforcement of physical planning laws.
The Council also demanded the implementation and compliance with building codes and the institutionalisation of monthly sanitation exercises.
Uzodimma revealed that Imo State has already taken similar steps, having implemented a robust partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). He stated that his administration remains committed to ensuring that preventive and responsive measures are in place.
This year, NEMA has shifted its strategy to proactive flood management while conducting simulation exercises in flood-prone areas like Anambra and Kano state.
The Agency also launched community sensitisation campaigns to thoroughly prepare the masses for the impending floods. NEMA, in collaboration with NIMET and NIHSA, chose to implement a series of strategies, including early warnings, vulnerability mapping, and local emergency committee activation.
The National Economic Council approved funds to strengthen state agencies while demanding full compliance with appropriate flood mitigation practices.
Challenges like a poor drainage system and delayed data often hamper NEMA’s efforts to arrest the flood.
The rainy season in Nigeria typically lasts from April to October, peaking in July and August. The rainy season is essential for agriculture, but it also causes flooding in flood-prone areas in the country.
Agencies like NIMET and NEMA work together to mitigate the effects of flooding with proactive and responsive measures.
