Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Abuja Operations Office (AOO), has strengthened its partnership with the Kogi State Government in preparation for possible flood incidents, with emphasis on early warning dissemination, emergency response coordination and community-based disaster risk reduction.
The Head of NEMA Abuja Operations Office, Pharm. Zakari Abubakar, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Salifu Joel Oyibo, at the Government House, Lokoja, where both parties discussed strategies to enhance disaster preparedness and strengthen resilience across the state.
The engagement comes amid forecasts indicating an increased risk of flooding during the current rainy season, prompting stakeholders to intensify preventive measures and improve coordination among relevant agencies.
Speaking during the visit, Pharm. Abubakar reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to working closely with the Kogi State Government and other stakeholders to improve preparedness, strengthen early warning systems, and promote effective disaster risk reduction strategies.
He noted that successful disaster management requires sustained collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, humanitarian organisations, traditional leaders, the media, and local communities.
The NEMA official stressed the importance of proactive measures, including continuous public awareness campaigns, timely dissemination of early warning information, pre-positioning of emergency response materials, and effective evacuation plans for vulnerable communities.
He assured that NEMA would continue to support the Kogi State Government in safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure from the impact of flooding.
Responding, the Deputy Governor, Comrade Salifu Joel Oyibo, commended NEMA under the leadership of Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, for its commitment to disaster management and continued support to Kogi State through flood preparedness initiatives, emergency interventions, and capacity-building programmes.
Oyibo described NEMA as a dependable partner in the state’s efforts to build resilience against disasters while pledging the continued cooperation of the Kogi State Government in implementing flood mitigation measures and strengthening emergency response systems.
He assured that the state would continue to work with NEMA to ensure that communities identified as vulnerable under the seasonal climate prediction receive timely information, support, and necessary interventions.
The partnership between NEMA and Kogi State is expected to further enhance disaster preparedness, reduce flood-related risks, and improve the capacity of communities to respond effectively to emergencies.
END
