Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar has called on state governments across Nigeria to immediately commence proactive measures to mitigate the impact of predicted flooding during the 2026 rainy season.
Mrs. Umar made the appeal on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, in Yola as part of activities marking the stakeholders’ engagement and flag-off of the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards.
She warned that forecasts indicate that more than 30 states across the country may experience severe flooding this year if urgent preventive measures are not implemented.
The NEMA boss urged states to enforce monthly environmental sanitation exercises, ensure regular clearing of drainages and waterways, strengthen State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), and activate Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) at the grassroots level.
According to her, the Agency has already developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness, and Mitigation Framework to coordinate nationwide efforts aimed at reducing flood risks and disaster impacts.
She disclosed that through NEMA’s Flood Early Warning System, the Agency has identified flood-prone communities and produced vulnerability maps to guide disaster preparedness and response planning by federal, state, and local authorities.
Mrs. Umar also called on traditional rulers, religious bodies, youth and women groups, the media, and the private sector to support the sensitisation campaign by amplifying early warning messages and promoting community preparedness.
Responding, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri commended NEMA for its proactive disaster management efforts, particularly its early warning campaigns ahead of the rainy season.
The Governor assured that the Adamawa State Government would implement the recommendations provided by the Agency to reduce the impact of flooding across vulnerable communities in the state.
He also appreciated NEMA’s continuous support and interventions during emergencies and disaster situations in Adamawa State.
The NEMA Director General later addressed participants at the flag-off event, urging stakeholders to play active roles in disseminating flood early warning information within their communities.
Participants at the event included officials of Adamawa and Taraba State Emergency Management Agencies, local government representatives, volunteers, stakeholder agencies, and members of the media.
END
