By Nkechi Eze
The House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Flood Management and Response has lauded the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for its proactive approach to disaster management and pledged legislative support to strengthen the nation’s flood preparedness mechanisms.
During a familiarization visit to NEMA headquarters in Abuja, Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Midala Usman Balami, commended the Agency for its initiatives aimed at safeguarding lives and property, noting that its challenges, particularly in the area of limited resources, would be addressed with legislative interventions. He stressed the importance of strengthening Local Emergency Committees and enhancing synergy between state and federal structures to ensure timely and effective disaster response.
In her briefing to the lawmakers, NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, outlined the Agency’s mandate, ongoing interventions, and persistent challenges. She highlighted proactive measures undertaken by NEMA to mitigate and respond to disasters across the country, particularly flood incidents, while reaffirming the Agency’s commitment to disaster preparedness and community-level engagement. “No community should be left behind in times of crisis,” she assured.
The lawmakers also toured NEMA’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), which aggregates real-time flood data and coordinates multi-stakeholder response efforts.
