The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday presented the 2021 NEMA Disaster Risk Management Implications Report which aim at producing appropriate early flood warning signals to the public.
It would be recall that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHISA) in its 2021 flood outlook indicated that 121 Local Government Areas of 27 States and the Federal Capital Territory will expect a high probability of flood risk, while 302 local government areas will experience moderate risk of floods.
Meanwhile, Director General, NEMA, Ahmed Habib while speaking at the presentation of the Disaster Risk Management Implications Report in Abuja stated that the report will increase awareness and create a well informed and resilient communities at all level.
Habib noted that the report will also identify communities at risk and safe locations for the setting up of temporary shelters through its risk mapping.
He added that the report enables planning for the stockpiling and prepositioning of humanitarian relief for appropriate and timely intervention to persons affected by floods and associated hazards.
Habib further stated that the release of the 2021 Disaster Risk Management Implications Report marks the beginning of series of events throughout the rainy season including emergency coordination meetings to review response and mitigation strategies on sudden onset hydro meteorological disasters to ensure better coordination of human and material resources.
The Director General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Clement Nze on his own part acknowledged that the report is apt and timely in response to emergency preparedness.
Nze added that the collaboration between the two agencies is quite commendable and assured that information that relate to predictions will be available to NEMA and the general public.
The Director General, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Prof. Bako Mansur represented by the Director, Applied Meteorological Services, Engr. Yusuf Mailadi stated that unveiling reports and presenting Seasonal Climate Prediction are not enough if stakeholders do not put together available resources for field work and continue to disseminate timely information.