By; God’spower Samuel
Wednesday, 6th November, 2024.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has firmly refuted claims of neglecting its duties within the Rivers State area of the South-South Zonal Command. The Director General of NEMA, Dr Zubaida Umar, represented by the South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Dr BABATUNDE Adebiyi Rasak, confirmed that the agency has maintained continuous efforts since predicting the onset of the recent flood crisis.
Earlier this year, NEMA identified a high risk of flooding across several states, including Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa. He said: “Before now, after the downscaling of the flood in some areas in Rivers state and the south-south, Bayelsa state where we cover, we have been sensitizing the public… “
Speaking on NEMA’s proactive measures, during a press briefing on Wednesday, November 6, the agency’s South-South Zonal Coordinator, Dr Adebiyi said “Sensitization has been made in all the mapped areas, mapped communities and local government areas in the south-south zone specifically in Ahoada west and Ahoada East we also did that in Ogba Egbema Ndoni and we also went to Tai local government and Oyigbo local government and also we had some sensitization measures within parts of Obio/Akpor LGA, including the Ozuoba community in the Obio-Akpor local government, this is within Rivers state”
“In Bayelsa state, NEMA has been on ground, we did sensitization on waste management to manage flooding”
Dr Adebiyi highlighted that, as part of preventive efforts, the agency had been advising communities on proper waste management practices to minimize flood impact. “The agency has been conducting on-site flooding assessments, ” he said.
He also noted that: “Day in and day out the water is rising and we are taking note of what has been happening”
“A temporary camp has also been established in Ahoada West LGA, now housing over 1,000 displaced individuals. Plans are underway to ensure further intervention and positive support for flood victims in Ahoada West, as well as the Buseni area of Bayelsa State” he added.
NEMA’s South-South Command noted its active collaboration with the Flood Committee of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Bayelsa and Rivers state governments, working to address the specific needs of the displaced. Additionally, the Nigerian Army’s Disaster Reduction Unit has been engaged to expand outreach and relief efforts. Relief materials are expected to reach the Ahoada West camp within the next 24 hours, according to Dr Adebiyi.
“We have also contacted the Disaster Reduction Unit (DRU) of the army to assist and collaborate with us in reaching out to the people who are already in camp. As I speak in the next 24 hours, response has been approved for these people and it will keep coming in. … And we have informed the state to be on ground and by tomorrow we will be going there to also see what is happening and we are also expecting more people to show that NEMA is there for them”
In Bayelsa State, initial relief supplies have been delivered to affected communities in Brass and Southern Ijaw LGAs, with further support extended to the Buseni area. The agency also plans to set up a temporary camp for displaced individuals in Bayelsa.
Addressing the state governments, Dr Adebiyi, representing the NEMA Director General, remarked, “We encourage increased collaboration with the state authorities to ensure that flood victims experience improved conditions during this crisis period ”
He further emphasized the Agency’s renewed and sustained commitment to addressing flooding challenges across Rivers State and the entire South-South zone.
