Nigeria's emergency agency calls for action against impending floods

Leadership (Nigeria): The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for concerted action at all levels of government and sectors of the economy for pro-active ways to avert impending flood disasters in the country. The South-East Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Mr Abdullahi Onimode, made the call at Abagana, Anambra, on Tuesday during a sensitisation meeting on "Flood Early Warning and Mitigation" for traditional rulers.

Onimode explained that the thrust of the meeting was to discuss the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) 2012 seasonal rainfall prediction and its socio-economic implications for the nation. He disclosed that not less than 20 per cent of the population would be subjected to the danger of flooding if nothing was done before the occurrence.

"Floods are among the most devastating natural disasters in the world, claiming more lives and causing more property damage than any other natural phenomenon. In Nigeria, at least 20 per cent of the population is at risk of impending flooding. With increasing threats from climate change, the frequency of flooding and intensity of the hazard is certain to be on the increase," the coordinator observed.

Onimode maintained that it was the responsibility of all stakeholders to intensify risk reduction, mitigation and preparedness by increasing their resilience to reduce vulnerability to flooding and its attendant effects....