The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has advised State Governments across the country to commence proactive measures aimed at preventing and mitigating the impact of flooding.
This is coming on the heels of predictions that more than 30 states are likely to experience serious flooding during the 2026 rainy season.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, in Yola, stressed the need for stakeholder to engage and flag-off the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards.
She identified some of the key actions expected from states to include the reintroduction and enforcement of monthly environmental sanitation exercises, regular clearing of drainages and waterways, strengthening and supporting State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), as well as ensuring the inauguration and operational functionality of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) at the grassroots.
The Director General said that in response to the forecasts, the Agency has developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to guide coordinated efforts toward reducing flood impacts nationwide.
She added that through Flood Early Warning System, the Agency has identified flood risk profiles and produced vulnerability maps for at-risk communities across the country to support targeted disaster risk reduction planning by Federal, State, and Local Governments.
She called on traditional institutions, religious organizations, women and youth groups, the media and the private sector to support NEMA in amplifying early warning messages and promoting community preparedness.
Governor Umaru Fintiri commended NEMA for its proactive approach toward disaster preparedness and response, particularly the early warning and sensitization campaigns being undertaken ahead of the rainy season.
The Governor assured that the State Government would carefully consider and implement the recommendations and advice provided by the DG NEMA to reduce the impact of flooding in the state.
He appreciated the various interventions and support consistently provided by NEMA to the State during emergencies and disaster situations.
