A total of Three Hundred and Fourteen Local Government Area of Nigeria are at high risk from the Month of April to November 2023 according to the National Emergency Agency, NEMA.
Director-General, NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, made this known during the presentation of the 2023 climate-related disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies in Abuja on Thursday.
According to him, forecast from the Seasonal Climate Prediction, SCP, showed that a total of 66 Local Government Areas (LGAs) are at high flood risk in the months of April to June; while 148 LGAs in July to September and 100 LGAs in the months of October and November.
He said, “In addition, a total of 41 LGAs fall within the moderate flood risk areas in the months of April to June; 199 LGAs in the months of July to September and 72 LGAs in the months of October and November.
“This year’s forecast has indicated that there is a high risk of coastal flooding due to expected rise in sea level and tidal surge that may negatively impact agriculture, human settlements and transportation in Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos and Rivers States.
“Flash and urban floods are also forecasted over many cities and towns due to poor drainage systems and the lack of compliance to town planning and environmental regulations.
“The technical meeting was attended by experts from relevant stakeholder organizations that thoroughly appraised the risk implications of the forecasts and developed an early warning document based on thematic sectors covered by both NIHSA and NIMET.
“This document is expected to aid responsible organizations carry out preparedness and mitigation actions to safeguard lives, livelihoods, properties and the environment against hydro meteorological hazards in Nigeria during the 2023 rainy season and beyond.
“The exception to these are for parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna and the FCT that are likely to observe below-average rainfall. Furthermore, states that are expected to record rainfall amounts of 2700mm and above are Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Delta and Cross River.
“Similarly, the 2023 AFO has revealed that a total of 66 Local Government Areas (LGAs) are at high flood risk in the months of April to June; 148 LGAs in July to September and 100 LGAs in the months of October and November.
In order to prepare for flooding, Mustapha Habib Ahmed urged early action in flood-prone areas, noting that the agency has already issued documentation to the 36 state governments.
In order to limit the evident harm that floods might do in flood-prone areas, he further asked the remaining state governments to immediately create a Local Emergency Management Committee.
He said, “In NEMA, we believe that early warning must be matched with early action. Therefore, we have written letters and attached this document for dispatch to all the 36 State Governments and the FCT Administration with specific mention of LGAs at risk and actions that are expected to be taken by responsible authorities.
“We have also produced flood risk maps of areas at risk and uploaded on our official website and social media platforms for greater access by the public. NEMA has also commenced public sensitization through placement of flood early warning jingles, special discussions and advocacy across the states.
“From the foregoing, it is important to emphasize that it is our desire that early warning alerts are matched with appropriate early actions especially at the community level. State Governments that are yet to establish Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) in their respective Local Government Areas are encouraged to do so. Let me also advise the public to imbibe attitudinal change towards disaster risk reduction and take seriously all advisories released by relevant authorities.”
In her welcome address, the Director Planning Research & Forecasting National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs Fatima Suleiman Kasim said the agency intend to handle programs aimed at enlightening and educating the public differently believing that it will yield better disaster risk reduction.
“This year, we shall synergies better with our esteemed stakeholders to save lives and property. Our target this year is to ensure that emergency situations across the country are handled in line with International best practices, she reiterated.
Director-General/CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Professor Mansur Bako Matazu, urged all players in the value chain for disaster risk reduction and management to adopt these early warning and early action documents for ongoing early action in their respective fields in order to prevent losses, advance sustainable development, and enhance livelihoods.
