Flood: South South zone worst hit – NEMA
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged the South South Governor’s to drive early and coordinated action to protect lives and livelihoods during the 2026 rainy season. According to Head, Media Unit of the Agency, Manzo Ezekiel, Director General of the Agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, said this when she flagged off the 2026 National […]
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged the South South Governor’s to drive early and coordinated action to protect lives and livelihoods during the 2026 rainy season.
According to Head, Media Unit of the Agency, Manzo Ezekiel, Director General of the Agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, said this when she flagged off the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards for the South South geo-political zone in Calabar, Cross River State, on Thursday.
She noted that the South South region remains one of the areas most vulnerable to flooding in Nigeria due to its coastal location, high rainfall intensity, overflowing river systems, poor drainage infrastructure and the impact of climate change, which often result in recurrent flooding, displacement of communities, destruction of farmlands and disruption of livelihoods.
Umar stressed the need for early action to prevent, mitigate and respond effectively to the anticipated flooding across the country, particularly in flood-prone communities within the South South region.
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She disclosed that the Agency had developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to provide a structured guide for reducing flood impacts nationwide.
She identified key mitigation strategies to include capacity building for local responders, simulation and tabletop exercises, strict adherence to rainfall and flood advisories, regular clearing of drainage channels and waterways, as well as the development and testing of community evacuation plans.
Umar stated that through its Flood Early Warning System, NEMA had identified risk profiles and tailored mitigation measures for communication to at-risk communities, while vulnerability maps had been produced to guide federal, state and local governments in targeted risk reduction planning.
She added that NEMA would deploy technical teams to all states of the federation for direct community outreach, supported by State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) and community volunteers.
Umar expressed optimism that the engagement would strengthen preparedness, reduce the impact of recurrent floods, safeguard livelihoods, and support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
On his part, Governor Bassey Otu commended NEMA for its proactive approach toward disaster preparedness and efforts aimed at finding lasting solutions to flooding in the state.
He assured of the commitment of the Cross River State Government to continue collaborating with NEMA in strengthening disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.