NEMA Urges Residents Of Rivers And Bayelsa To Relocate Upland Ahead Of Predicted Flooding.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called on residents of Rivers and Bayelsa States to move to higher ground in anticipation of severe flooding forecast for the region during the current rainy season.
Mr Eric Ebhodaghe, the South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, issued the advisory on Friday during a news conference held in Port Harcourt.
The warning follows a recent forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Institute (NIMET), which predicted heavy flooding in at least 30 states across Nigeria, including the coastal states of Rivers and Bayelsa.
Ebhodaghe explained that NEMA had already begun engaging at-risk communities to mitigate the potential impact of the floods, with an emphasis on awareness campaigns and early preparedness.
“We are working to reduce the impact on the people by sensitising them, with the aim of minimising economic losses and protecting lives,” he said.
In response to NIMET’s predictions, NEMA has initiated consultations with federal, state, and local government bodies to ensure coordinated and proactive flood mitigation strategies.
“In Rivers State, we have identified communities across various local government areas that are particularly vulnerable to flooding,” Ebhodaghe stated.
He revealed that the agency had been actively visiting these high-risk areas to educate residents on safety precautions, encouraging them to relocate to safer locations or utilise established Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
“Although we cannot stop the flooding, we can manage its impact by urging residents to move to safe zones within their communities or to designated IDP camps,” he added.
The zonal coordinator emphasised the importance of prevention in disaster management, particularly in dealing with floods. He noted that IDP camps had already been set up in each of the 15 most vulnerable local government areas in the state.
To bolster local capacity, Ebhodaghe said NEMA had partnered with Community Development Committees, youth leaders, traditional rulers, and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
“These partnerships focus on enhancing local preparedness, including the implementation of effective waste management systems to prevent drain blockages,” he explained.
He further urged residents to play their part by regularly clearing drainage systems and avoiding indiscriminate waste disposal, which often leads to the obstruction of natural water channels.
“When the water channels are blocked, the water will inevitably find alternative routes; therefore, if we adhere to responsible waste disposal and drainage maintenance, we will enhance our flood mitigation efforts,” Ebhodaghe concluded.
The agency continues to monitor the situation closely and remains committed to safeguarding lives and property as the rainy season progresses.
