NEMA Clarifies Flood Alert, Insists Data Shows Possible Flooding

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has clarified its position on the alert of possible flooding as stated at the October 7, 2023 Emergency Coordination Forum (EFC) meeting.

In a reaction yesterday to a story on LEADERSHIP Sunday, titled: “NEMA Issued Flood Alert Without Complete Data”, the agency said available information as of the day of the meeting was sufficient enough to alert Nigerians of possible flooding in some states.

Part of NEMA statement signed by NEMA’s head of press unit, Ezekiel Manzo, read: “Attention of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been drawn to a publication by LEADERSHIP Sunday, 15th October, 2023 captioned, ‘NEMA Issued Flood Alert Without Complete Data’, which to the best knowledge of the agency do not represent the true situation.

“The Emergency Coordination Forum (EFC), which was held on 7th October, 2023 at the instance of director-general, National Emergency Management Agency, Mustapha Ahmed, was to intimate critical stakeholders on the present situation of flooding following the sudden release of water from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon.

“He briefed the meeting that the release of water had affected some local government areas in Adamawa State, particularly Fofure council where farmlands and houses were affected in the following wards: Wurobokki ward (7 communities), Pariya ward (six communities) Ribadu ward (12 communities) Fofure ward (2 communities), Beti ward (seven communities) Gurin ward (nine communities), Farang ward (one community) leading to the establishment of camps in Limawa Primary school, Gadabawa, Godan gona and Borrongi in Yola North and Adamu Namtari Primary School in Yola South.”       

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The statement added that “During the ECF, the director-general of Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) was represented by his special assistant, Engr. John Gbadegisin, who gave some rundown of flood reading.

“At the Yola end of the Benue River, the level of reading was 6.96 meters as against 6.5 metres in 2022.

“At Makurdi, the level of water was 9.71 metres as against 11.40 in 2022, while in Lokoja, it was 9.05 metres as against 13.05 in 2022.

“These readings however do not rule out the possibility of flooding along the banks of River Benue.

“For the River Niger axis, the meeting was informed that while Jebba Dam was spilling water gradually, Kainji Dam and Shiroro Dam (along River Kaduna) were still impounding water.

“Sequel to this narration, the DG NEMA appealed to the state governments and communities along the banks of these major rivers from Adamawa to Kogi (River Benue) and Kebbi to Kogi and Bayelsa (River Niger) to continue to monitor situation with the intent of immediately activating response strategy.

“It should be noted that the ECCF meeting had participation of relevant strategic stakeholders including the executive secretaries/heads of SEMAs of Benue, Kogi and Delta.

At the same meeting, the DG NEMA thanked stakeholders for their continued collaboration for efficient flood response and actions.

“He also urged state governments and other stakeholders especially the Nigerian Red Cross Society to always support in providing lifejackets to boat passengers along water ways to reduce cases of deaths from boat mishaps.

He ended by reiterating the need for constant vigilance, prompt sharing of information and taking action when there is an immediate threat of flooding.

“From the foregoing, the general public is kindly advised to contact NEMA headquarters or its zonal. Territorial operation offices located across the country to ascertain and clarify information to avoid being misled.”