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Tag: NEMA

  • Lawmaker begs FG to increase ecological fund to Edo

    The lawmaker representing Etsako federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Johnson Oghuma, has begged the Federal government to increase ecological funding to Edo State.

    Hon Oghuma said more Ecological funding would help tackle natural disaster ravaging parts of Edo State.

    Oghuma spoke to reporters after donating food items to flood victims at the Oghomere resettlement Centre in Estako Central local government.

    He urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to expedient action to provide support for people displaced by flood in the State.

    The lawmaker lamented that facilities at the resettlement centre were not in proper condition for habitation.

    According to him, “I am not satisfy with the condition of the victims. The facilities is not in proper shape. Whatever we are doing now is just temporary not until the River Niger is dredged so that the river can take more volume of water to reduce the pressure of water on communities around the river”.

    Oghuma said he has moved a motion on the floor of the house drawing attention of the Federal government to the gully erosion devastating part of his Constituency

    “Our people are suffering owing to the effect of this gully and that is why government should increase allocation for ecological fund for the control of erosion to save lives and property because as we speak alot of residential building have given way to gully”.

  • NEMA clarifies emergency funds; hails Buhari s swift response

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has cleared the air over alleged astronomical sums requested from the Federal Government to tackle flooding.
    According to figures released by the agency on Thursday, 199 casualties were recorded in  the recent disaster that spread to 87 local governments in 12 states across the country.
    It was alleged that NEMA asked for N12 billion but received N3 billion with over N9 billion still required for effective response.
    However, the agency has debunked such claims, emphasizing that it got N3 billion for initial logistics, search and rescue, supply of pre-assessment relief materials, which includes food, non-food items and medical supplies.
    This was contained in a statement released by Spokesperson, Sani Datti, on Thursday.
    “The attention of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been drawn to publications that suggest that the Agency requested for N12 billion from the Federal Government out of which it has so far received N3 billion,” he revealed.

    Read also: NEMA’s impactful outings on disaster management

    “While NEMA issued a statement detailing information about ongoing rescue and relief efforts in the wake of the floods that ravaged several areas in the country, the portrayal of the funding aspects of the exercise was not properly captured in the reports written from the Agency’s statement.
    “For the avoidance of doubt, NEMA did not at any point in time request for N12 billion from the federal government.  The President of FRN, however, Approved the sum of N3 billion for initial logistics, search and rescue, supply of pre-assessment relief materials, which includes food, non-food items and medical supplies.
    “NEMA also appreciates  the timely disbursement of the approved funds as this has allowed the Agency to promptly perform its duties to Nigerians in need at this time.”
    NEMA went further to commend the  timely intervention by Mr. President which made it possible for the agency  to offer emergency services to persons affected by the flood.
    The group also thanked the media and Nigerians for the or assistance in the quest to minimize the effect of the flood.
    “The management of NEMA remains grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari as the N3 billion is adequate for the aforementioned activities and ongoing relief operations,”  Datti added.
    “However, the full extent of the damage from the flood would be verifiable after the water recedes from affected areas and this could take up to three months. Our experts extrapolated the initial N3 billion expenditure to arrive at an estimated N12 billion that would be required to carry out necessary interventions when the extent of damage has been confirmed.
    “As is the practice globally, emergency response in the aftermath of natural disasters is usually multi-sectorial, inter-agencies and multi-resource funded, which makes it possible to receive funding from other sources like UNDAC and the European Union Commission that have offered support to the Nigerian Government in some areas. Discussions with these international bodies have reached advanced stages.
    “NEMA renews its appeal to Nigerians to assist affected victims with food and non-food items, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, beddings, and other useful relief materials to assist our fellow citizens in coming out of this distaster faster than expected.
    “NEMA expresses its gratitude to the media for the objective coverage of all its activities including the recent floods and would urge all to make it a point to cross check the facts in order to avoid any misleading report in public domain. “

  • Flood Management: Why Maihaja deserves a national honour

    Natural and human-made catastrophic events appear to be steadily increasing in intensity and frequency. Proper preparation, response, and recovery are vital if humanity and its vital systems are to cope with this and survive large-scale disasters. Like I have mentioned in numerous forums, one of the keys to effective disaster management is developing the tools, processes and best practices to manage natural disasters while also fully understanding that each disaster comes with its challenges and the solution for combating it differs from case to case. It is also crucial to anticipate these disasters and not just wait for it to happen before anything is done.
    And this much has been exhibited so far by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the management of disasters in Nigeria. The recent floods experienced in some parts of the country gives us a vivid example of how proactive NEMA has been in recent times under the headship of Engr. Mustapha Maihaja.
    Not only did NEMA promptly rise to the occasion, but it also indeed saved the country the wanton loss of lives and properties. And this did not happen overnight but rather was the end product of meticulous planning, risk assessment and management on the part of the Agency. This template utilised by NEMA combines a careful planning and a well thought out process which has become the hallmark of the operations of NEMA since Engr. Mustapha Maihaja took over the reins in 2017.
    I will give an example; The National Emergency Management Agency recently organized a national consultative workshop on climate Risk Mitigation, Preparedness, and Response. The workshop brought together stakeholders to discuss critical issues arising from the challenges of climate change and its attendant effects that include flood and drought.  What does this tell us?
    This highlights the need to incorporate planning with a workable strategy  in whatever we do. Planning in the sense that we must come to the realisation that at some point, we would be confronted with unpleasant situations that would require a high level of proactive handling to mitigate or address the situation. Also strategy in the sense of knowing what to do, when and how to get it done effectively. And this has been the story and work ethic of NEMA under the stewardship of Engr. Mustapha Maihaja.
    To say that NEMA hasn’t been proactive in the handling of emergency issues in Nigeria would be tantamount to telling everyone that Nigeria is a state in the United States of America. Funny as this sound, it states the undeniable and modest achievements recorded by NEMA in the past two years. Not only has he surpassed expectations, but he has also shown displayed a high level of dedication to duty and an overall contribution to the Nigerian cause.
    The exploits of Engr. Mustapha Maihaja in NEMA has been emphasized in numerous forums.Permit me to also lend my voice in eulogizing him. In my opinion, an individual such as Engr. Mustapha Maihaja deserves some commendation given his track record. I say this for the very reason that when praise is rightly dished out, it would not only serve as a psychological boost for him to do more, while also providing an incentive for other public office holders to give their best. And for an agency such as NEMA, whose core mandate revolves around a critical constituency makes it more laudable that its director general has indeed risen to the occasion to provide purposeful leadership.
    And again, one of the many ways the DG of NEMA has so impressed me was in the setup of Emergency Operational Centres (EOCs), across the six geopolitical zones and Abuja and the activation of the National Contingency Plan. The EOCs is to facilitate prompt search and rescue operations as well as humanitarian supports in the twelve (12) states worst affected by flooding.
    The Emergency Response Centres will be responsible for planning, organizing, directing and supervising deployment of resources with the affected state governments and local authorities and communities. In my opinion, this is also brilliant because the objective would be to localize the responses and expedite intervention to save lives and facilitate quick recovery. Suffice to mention that this is what is obtained in most western climes.
    In my opinion, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja is deserving of a National Honour because his leadership style has impacted positively on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. This is also on the heels of the fact that he could have carried on with business as usual by ignoring early warnings, feeding fat on the system, diverting funds meant for resettlements and emergency operations and the likes. But no, instead, he decided to tow the path of honour by been proactive and ensuring that effects of disasters such as the recent flooding are mitigated.
    What more can we ask for as a people? If other political office holders can carry on in like manner, then Nigeria would indeed be a better place, and be on the path to sustainable development.  And if the actions of Engr. Mustapha Maihaja does not give us hope; I wonder what can. And if he is not deserving of National honour and recognition , I wonder who else deserves it.
    The DG of NEMA has demonstrated a capacity for hard work and patriotism. And one that should be rewarded. But for the numerous interventions of NEMA in addressing the floods that ravaged some parts of Nigeria, the casualty figures would have been mind-boggling. This is also aside his various introductions and offerings since he assumed leadership of the agency in 2017. I recall that some say he has the Midas touch. Some even say he is a workaholic. While I agree with both assertions. I would instead say he is merely patriotic.
    Onmeje writes from the United Kingdom.

  • Flood: Over N9bn still required for response – NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed that over N9 billion was still required to respond to the current flooding that has affected 12 states across the country.

    This was made known in the NEMA Situation Report No 1 made available on Friday in Abuja.

    According to the report, NEMA will require N12 billion for the response; NEMA has already received N3 billion from the Federal Government, however, over N9 billion was still required for effective response.

    The report also reveals that 327,052 people are already affected by the flooding; 77, 460 persons are internally displaced, 70 casualties have been reported so far and the numbers are expected to increase.

    The report stated that twelve states have already been affected by the flood, four states are declared under ‘National Disaster’, eight states are under red alert.

    It further stated that and 50 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have been earmarked as frontline council areas to be affected by the flooding in Nigeria.

    “On Sept. 17, a National Disaster was declared in the worst four affected States: Anambra, Delta, Kogi and Niger.

    “As of reporting period, there are 327,052 people affected in the flooded States.

    “National and Territorial Emergency Operating Centers (EOCs) are activated to facilitate the response in the States and collect information on critical gaps and needs.

    “The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is leading the overall national response.

    “Requests for food, medicines, Non Food Items (NFI) kits, mosquito nets and shelters are received from across the affected states.

    “Damaged shelters are yet to be ascertained in some areas as the flooding has not yet subsided.

    “There are reports of malaria and possibility of water borne diseases,’’ the report revealed.

    The report also reveals that the floods have damaged agricultural lands as 60,208 hectares have already been affected.

    The extents of the damages are expected to increase once the floods have receded, the report stated.

    The report also noted, Power and telecommunications are reported to be down in some locations due to the flood.

    According to the reports, displaced persons are currently being hosted in emergency shelters such as LGA offices, schools, stadiums, churches and an IDPs hostel built by the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation.

    It stated that families who have relatives have opted to stay in host communities.

    It, however, noted that the EOCs are providing reports daily on the situation in the different states and NEMA will continue to update this report as the situation evolves and assessment continues in the field.

    It listed the EOCs labeled A to E and their responsibilities to include: EOC A, to be responsible for operations in Kebbi, Niger and Kwara States.

    EOC B to be responsible for operations in Edo and Kogi States while EOC C to be responsible for Amambra and Delta States.

    It listed EOC D to be responsible for operations in Benue, Taraba and Adamawa States and lastly, EOC E to be responsible for operations in Rivers and Bayelsa State.

    According to the report, United Nations agencies and International organisations like the OCHA, WFP and the IOM have deployed staff to the NEMA Headquarters to support the current operations.

    It stated that they would support in providing information management and GIS mapping. (NAN)

  • Flood renders many homeless in Kogi

    Hundreds of people in areas of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital and other parts of the confluence state, have been forced out of their homes as rising water levels continue to encroach on residences.

    The unprecedented rainfall has brought untold hardship as families are driven from their homes.

    The situation, it is predicted, could worsen if water from the Lagdo Dam, in Cameron, is released, a scenario which the people of Kogi pray not to happen.

    In Adankolo, residents whose homes have been overtaken by the flood, continue to move out in droves, while others yet to be affected, are not taking chances.

    Hundreds of residents of Ganaja village, in Ajaokuta Local Government Area are also facing similar situation, haven been rendered homeless by flood.

    Aside living houses, shops and other commercial buildings have been affected by the flood, even as the water level continue to rise.

    The state government has however commenced the distribution of foodstuffs and other relief items to the flood victims in IDPs camps across the state.

    The Kogi State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Sanusi Yahaya, told newsmen at the inauguration of the distribution in Lokoja, that the distribution of the foodstuffs was the first stage.

    He noted that the National Emergency Maintenance Agency (NEMA) had also supplied some relief items, including mattresses, blankets and mats, to be distributed to the flood victims.

    In addition, the state government procured food items for the victims to enable them feed in the camps.

    According to the commissioner: “This is just the first batch of the distribution. More are still coming, because His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, has approved the release of fund to get more foodstuffs.”

    He appealed to individuals, corporate organisations and professional bodies to come forward and assist the flood victims, saying that government cannot not do it alone.

  • NEMA’s impactful outings on disaster management

    These are indeed trying times. The floods are here again, and as usual, thousands are affected. Homes have been destroyed, farms have been washed away, and the list goes on. While it is succinct to state that just like in other climes where natural disasters such as hurricane, earthquakes, and floods have continued to wreak havoc, the responses of disaster management agencies come to bear in no small measure in cushioning effects and giving those affected a sense of belonging and a life afterward.

    And this brings us to the recent flooding experienced in some parts of Nigeria as a result of heavy rainfalls that causes rivers Niger and Benue to overflow. As at the last count, Niger Kogi, Anambra, and Delta states have been declared as National Disasters by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). It is also understood that Taraba Adamawa, Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Benue, Bayelsa and Kwara states are being monitored carefully by NEMA.

    In this regard, I will start on a high note. The preparedness and responses by NEMA have been excellent in my opinion. I recall when the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency issued a warning that Rivers Benue and Niger had almost reached levels that resulted in flooding in 2012, NEMA issued a statement informing Nigerians on its preparedness for the flooding and it also consequently issued precautionary information to these communities.

    Now, this is why I decided to pen this article. Kogi state is among the worst hit states and as at the last time I checked, the director general of NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja has somewhat relocated to Kogi state. This was aside from the fact that he had held series of meetings with stakeholders to assess the reports from the fact-finding committees that visited flood-prone states after the warning by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency. I was more than impressed, and in my opinion, this was indeed a proactive approach and a radical departure from that norm that placed so much emphasis on reactionary activities.

    I stand to be corrected, NEMA in the past two years had indeed shown how and what it meant to have a disaster management agency in a country. This is in line with the adoption of the preventive disaster management operations introduced into the agency by the director general, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja. I also recall that sometime in 2017, while addressing the 2017 General Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Cancun, Mexico, the DG was quoted as saying “support from the political leadership in Nigeria has enabled a giant stride towards ensuring appropriate actions on reducing risks, disaster preparedness, mitigation and recovery in the country. He also said the Federal Government has empowered and equipped NEMA to comprehensively manage disasters in Nigeria, with a fully functional Department of Disaster Risk Reduction already created in the agency.

    Now, this was why I wasn’t surprised and also impressed with the responses of NEMA in recent times in disaster management in Nigeria. Hear what the DG has to say: “President Muhammadu Buhari approved N3 billion for the first stages of preparedness, response disaster mitigation and it was on that note that stakeholders under the coordination of NEMA had activated a National Contingency Plan, a policy document, which gives NEMA the power to establish operational structure. An operational structure has been put in place with a National Emergency Operational Centre domiciled at the NEMA headquarters and five Zonal Emergency Operational Centres (EOC).”

    I am left in awe whenever I hear the DG of NEMA speak on issues concerning disaster management. His grasp and understanding thrill me, so much so that I have told all that cared to listen that one of the best decision of President Muhammdu Buhari was to have appointed a highly detailed and competent individual to head NEMA. And why they would always ask me.

    The reason is simple. Which category of people is mostly affected by disasters? The answer is obvious, and that is mainly why I am in praise of President Muhammdu Buhari because he has demonstrated that this is a government that is concerned about the ordinary Nigerians unlike in times past where our inefficiency in disaster management results in loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties.

    Back to the crux of the issue, NEMA’s outings in disaster management in the past two years can best be described as impactful. It is instructive to state that DG has visited almost all parts of the country that has in one way or the other experienced any form of disaster, be it human-made or natural for on the spot assessment and also leading rescue and relief operations. For example, the DG of NEMA was on the ground during rescue operations when a building collapsed in Abuja recently. He was also in Benue during the September 2017 flood that affected scores of villages in the state. And the list goes on.

    Read Also: NEMA warns of impending flooding in 12 states

    In my opinion, what this signifies or indicates is that there is a government that cares and holds that critical constituency so dearly and the need for them to feel the impact of his administration. This is even aside from the efforts of NEMA in assisting the Nigeria military in the resettlement of thousands of Nigerians that were displaced as a result of the insurgency in North East Nigeria. It also suffices to state that under this arrangement, thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have successfully returned to their communities. This is also commendable.

    The list can go on without end. But what is instructive and a takeaway from the activities of NEMA is that once there is a will, there would always be a way. This much the DG of NEMA has demonstrated with the support he has received from the political authorities. And if most political office holders exhibit this much patriotism, Nigeria would indeed be better for it.

    Adamu is a public affairs analyst and contributed this piece from Abuja

  • NEMA gets N3b as floods continue

    Floods ravage Bayelsa communities

    Some coastal communities in Bayelsa State have been submerged by floods, Commissioner for Information and Orientation Daniel Iworiso-Markson said yesterday.

    The commissioner, who spoke to reporters in Yenagoa, said the communities affected by the flood were increasing daily, insisting the state is in dire need of support from the Federal Government.

    Iworiso-Markson decried delay in the release of fund to contain the floods since 2012, saying it would have helped to complement the state’s efforts to tackle flood.

    While maintaining that Bayelsa has never benefited from Federal Government flood fund, the commissioner urged Bayelsans to be vigilant and make use of available call lines and report incidents in their areas.

    The lawmaker representing Sagbama Constituency 3 in the House of Assembly, Salo Adikumo, said the worse hit communities were Asamabiri, Elemebiri, Ekperiware and Adagbabiri.

    Adikumo said  property worth millions of naira had been destroyed, and solicitied the intervention of the Federal Government through NEMA.

    He appealed to other relevant federal agencies to come to the rescue of those affected  as the state is doing its best.

     

    Fed Govt approves N3bn to respond, mitigate disaster

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMATODE) has received N3 billion to respond to the looming flood disasters following a red alert issued on September 7 by the National Hydological Services Agency (NHISA).

    Director-General Mr Mustapha Maihaji made the announcement in Abuja during a meeting of NEMA with stakeholders to assess the reports from the fact finding committees after visiting the flood prone states.

    According to Maihaja, President Muhammadu Buhari approved N3billion for the first stages of preparedness, response disaster mitigation.

    Maihaja said that the agency has immediately swung into action in case there are more worrying indications of a looming flood.

    He said that reports from the fact finding committees are worrisome as some states including Niger, Kogi, Delta and Anambra have already started witnessing flooding.

    “From the first response, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved up to N3 billion for the first response.

    “We are here today to assess the already alarming situation, with declaration of red alert done on Sept. 7.

    The declaration further culminated to the constitution of six committees that went round twelve States.

    “NiMet has reported that from today to the next 72 hours, there would be continuous rain in the North, the Central and the Southern States of Nigeria.

    “NHISA has reported also that today, the levels at the measuring stations, at the confluence of the Rivers Niger and Benue at Lokoja is 10.98 meters.

    “This confirms that the volume is still increasing and with the threatening in flow at Lagdo Dam, with the level as at yesterday recorded at 21.4 meters when compared to the highest level.

    “They will be forced to discharge at 21.6 meters that means we are left at 0.2 meters to get to that level and the continuous inflow makes it more worrisome,’’ Maihaja said.

    Maihaja said that it was on that note that stakeholders under the coordination of NEMA have activated a National Contingency Plan, a policy document, which gives NEMA the power to establish operational structure.

    The director general said that an operational structure has being put in place with a National Emergency Operational Centre domicile at the NEMA headquarters and five Zonal Emergency Operational Centres (EOC).

    Maihaja said that EOC A, will be responsible for operations in the following States; Kebbi, Niger and Kwara States.

    He said that EOC B will be responsible for operations in Edo and Kogi States, while EOC C will be operational at Amambra and Delta States.

    He listed EOC D to be responsible for operations in Benue, Taraba and Adamawa and lastly, EOC E to be responsible for operations in Rivers and Bayelsa.

    Maihaja said that the NEMA situation room was also being activated for collecting data, analyzing the data for information sake to guide the operations of the national EOCs and the Zonal EOCs.

    He said that the nation would be given regular information and updates on further developments.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered Maihaja to declare a “national disaster’’ in the event that anticipated flooding turns a reality in some parts of the country.

    The President’s directive follows a warning from NHISA that Rivers Niger and Benue have almost reached the levels that resulted in the 2012 flooding.

     

    Town union cautions communities against building on water channels

    The President General of the Town Union (ETU), Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra, Chief Paul Nnatuanya Ebenebe, has warned the community against building on water channels or face wrath of the law.

    Nnatuanya spoke in Ebenebe yesterday during his inaugural speech as the newly elected president general of the community.

    The town union president said his administration would monitor compliance to the new directives so as to save the community from imminent destruction from flood.

    He said most of the flood being experienced recently in the community was as a result of people building on flood channel, dumping of refuse in gutters and other activities alien to flood.

    Nnatuanya urged the people of the community to key into the monthly sanitation usually observed in major cities of the state on last Saturdays of every month to sustain a healthy living.

    He said if the community imbibed the exercise which became necessary due to various developmental projects ongoing in the community, it would be more beneficial to the town.

    The president general pledged that ETU under his watch would support any government directive regarding flood control or any other progressive work in the community.

    According to him, I will not hesitate to bring to justice anyone caught evading sanitation or any act against development of the town.

    He urged the people to shun acts of unclean habit such as littering the streets with eateries, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, building on the water channels, and others.

    Inaugurating the executive earlier, Mr Sunday Eze, a director from the Anambra State Ministry of Town Union and Chieftaincy Matters advised the new leadership to work closely with its traditional ruler, Igwe Christopher Nnaegbuna to achieve desired results.

    The Chairman of the Ogbaru Local Government Area, Mr Arinze Awogu, directed the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to cut supply to the flood prone area for fear of massive electrocution.

    Awogu said no fewer than 9, 000 persons from 1, 500 households had been displaced from their homes in Ogbaru council.

    Awogu noted that there were dangers of possible health hazard as many sewage pits had been ripped open by the flood.

    He described the flood situation in Ogbaru as an emergency that demands swift response from the National and Anambra State Emergency Management Agencies.

    The chairman requested that the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state be properly equipped for evacuation of flood victims.

    “NEMA, SEMA and Red Cross officials have visited Ogbaru for on-the-spot- assessment, we are still awaiting their intervention to minimise loss of lives and property.

    “The flood is having all the signs of the devastating 2012 flood and we request that IDPs camps be equipped so that the over 9,000 affected persons can move into the camps.

    “We can only access people’s homes by canoe because everywhere is massively flooded, the flood comes in the night and by morning people are scampering for safety.

    “There is need to sand fill some areas within the IDP camps, and at the moment no single relief material has been brought to any of the designated camps.

    “The worse seem not to have been seen as we are only battling with the water released from Shiroro, Kainji and Jebba dams, the Cameroonians have not released theirs and they will do so in couple of days and when that happens, it will be a disaster for us here,” he said.

    The chairman appealed to both Federal and State ministries of health to respond urgently to the health challenges posed by the flood,” he said.

     

    ‘No release of Lagbo Dam water by Cameroonian authorities yet’

    The Acting Director-General of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Ahmed Mabudi, said the rumor making rounds about the release of water from the Lagbo Dam by Camaroonian authorities was untrue.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports there were circulating reports that people living along the water banks of the Rivers Niger and Benue should run for their lives with the release of water by the operators of Lagbo dam in Cameroon.

    According to the report, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Police are quoted as warning those living along the water banks to run for their lives “between now and Saturday’’ or many houses will  be over run.

    Mabudi, however, told NAN on Sunday in Abuja that the news was false.

    “We’ve have spoken with the operator in charge of the dam in the Southern Cameroon region, Mr Abdullahi and we are in constant discussion with him.

    “There is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Cameroon that the Cameroonians must give us a long notice in the event that they want to release water from the dam so we can take precautionary measures to contain any havoc as a result of the release.

    “As at Tuesday when we spoke with Abdullahi, he said the water level at the dam was 12.1m, so it has to get to 12.6m before they start any release.

    “So, when we alerted him about the stories making the rounds, he was shocked and refuted the claims.

    “Yes, we know that there are rising water levels in Adamawa, Taraba and the Benue axis, but this is basically due to the torrential rain fall being currently experienced in the country,” he said.

    He urged people living in high level water areas to remain vigilant and calm, adding that the Minister of Water Resources Suleiman Adams as well as NIHSA were in touch with operators of the Lagbo Dam.

     

    NiMet predicts nationwide thunderstorms, rains today

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted that thunderstorms and rainfalls would prevail over most parts of the country today.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office (CFO) yesterday predicted localised morning thunderstorms over the central cities like Yola, Bauchi, Ibi, Makurdi, Minna, Jalingo and Abuja.

    It also predicted scattered thunderstorms over the region during the afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures of 26 to 31 and 16 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.

    The agency predicted that Northern cities would experience partly cloudy conditions throughout the forecast period with thunderstorms over southern Maiduguri in the afternoon and evening period.

    It also predicted that northern cities would have day and night temperatures in the ranges of 31 to 33 and 20 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.

    According to NiMet, Southern States will experience cloudy morning with prevalence of moderate rains over Lagos, Calabar and Port-Harcourt.

    “Later in the day, there are prospects of rains over most parts of the inland and coastal cities with day and night temperatures of 29 to 31 and 20 to 22 degrees Celsius respectively,” NiMet predicted.

  • Buhari delegates NEMA to declare ‘National Disaster’ on Flooding

    President Muhammadu Buhari has delegated authority to the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja, to declare a “national disaster’’ in the event that anticipated flooding turns a reality in parts of the country.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity in a statement in Abuja, said the President’s directive followed a warning by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency that Rivers Benue and Niger had almost reached levels that resulted in flooding in 2012.

    The 2012 disaster had led to lost of lives and destruction of property in some parts of the country.

    A letter to the Director-General, NEMA, titled: “Situation Report on the River Flood along the Banks of Rivers Benue and Niger’’, which was signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, said:

    “Delegation of authority to the Director General of NEMA to activate the Disaster Response Units of the military for possible search and rescue missions, and

    “The procurement and proportionate stocking of relief materials and health related items up to N3billion to provide for the needs of possible victims.’’

    The letter also instructed the head of the emergency agency to provide regular updates to the President.(NAN)

  • NEMA receives 9,822 stranded Nigerians in 18 months

    The National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ) says no fewer than 9, 822 Stranded Nigerians were assisted back home by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) from 10 different countries in 18 months.

    The Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, South West Zone, Alhaji Yakubu Suleiman, disclosed this while receiving another batch of of 153 Assisted Voluntary Returnees (AVR) brought back by IOM from Libya on Friday.

    He said majority of the returnees were from Libya with about 8,657 voluntary returnees, while others were brought back from Niger, Mali, Morocco, Liberia, Burkina Faso, France, Ireland, Austria and Poland made up the remaining balance.

    Suleiman explained that IOM had been working with NEMA and other federal agencies towards giving the returnees appropriate humanitarian assistance since the exercise started.

    According to him, the returnees were brought back between April 2017 and September 2018.

    “The IOM analysis of the exercise reveals that out of the total figure, 59 per cent of the returnees are males and 41 per cent are females.

    “Further analysis shows that out of the above, 57 per cent are adult males, adult females consisted of 37 per cent , minor males are three per cent and minor females are also three per cent,”he said.

    Suleiman said 215 of the women returned under various stages of pregnancy while while 214 males and 141 females had various degree of medical challenges.

    He also disclosed was that there were 59 males and 52 females unaccompanied minors while about 24 males and 174 females need psychosocial first aid.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new batch of returnees arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 1.05 a.m. on Friday.

    The Nigerians, comprising of 97 males and 56 females, arrived aboard a Libyan Airline with registration No: 5A-DMG and flight No: BRQ 189.

  • Flood: NEMA seeks evacuation of people in Anambra

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised Anambra government to as a matter of urgency begin immediate evacuation of people living in the flood prone areas to the emergency shelter centres in the state.

    Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting Mr Vincent Owen gave the advice yesterday when he visited Enugwu-Out in Anambra East Local Government Area in accompany of some staff of the agency and other stakeholders.

    According to him, the weather forecast by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), that 2018 flood may come in same magnitude of the flood of 2012, should not be treated with levity.

    Owen said that the update regarding the flood was so alarming, adding that all the indices during the 2012 flood were visible while the speed at which the river was rising needed urgent action.
    “There is nothing to wait for in the evacuation of the people living in the flood prone areas in Anambra, the indices seen in 2012 flood have manifested in all the areas visited.
    “In Ogbarua communities, all the towns have been affected by the flood, in Enugwu-Otu and Nkpundo –Out, the story is not different,’’ he said.
    The director advised all the 12 states located in the flood prone areas to take the forecast serious while assuring of the agency speedy assistance, whereever the need might arise.

    Owen said that the Nigerian Government has received a message from the Cameroon Government of its intention to open Lagoon Damns and ask for proactive measures by the affected states.
    He said that if the forecast were not timely adhered to, the imminent flood shall be worse than the 2012 flood experience.