By Nkechi Eze
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has activated flood preparedness measures for communities situated along the River Niger following alerts of rising water levels upstream in the Republic of Benin.
In a swift response to the development, NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, issued urgent directives to all operations offices covering communities along the river to intensify advocacy and community mobilization campaigns. She emphasized the need for proactive sensitization to ensure that residents remain vigilant and prepared for possible flood impacts.
According to Mrs. Umar, residents in flood-prone areas, particularly those living along low-lying flood plains in Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara States, must begin immediate evacuation to safer and higher grounds. She stressed that early movement and preparedness would play a critical role in reducing loss of lives and livelihoods should the river overflow its banks.
The NEMA boss further called on the state governments of the identified high-risk areas to give maximum support to their respective State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) in activating contingency plans. She noted that synergy among federal, state, and local authorities is crucial to mitigating the potential impact of flooding this year.
Reaffirming NEMA’s commitment to ensuring the safety of citizens, Mrs. Umar assured that the agency was fully mobilized to coordinate interventions. “Our priority remains the protection of lives and livelihoods. We are working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure that necessary preparedness and response measures are in place along the River Niger corridor,” she stated.
The River Niger, which traverses several Nigerian states after flowing from neighboring countries, has historically posed significant flood risks during heavy rainfall and upstream releases of excess water. Authorities fear that the rising levels reported in Benin could result in downstream flooding if adequate precautions are not taken.
With the rainy season reaching its peak, NEMA’s early warning and preparedness efforts are expected to serve as a critical lifeline for at-risk communities.
