S’South: Floods, Conflicts Displace 3.5m, Claim 29 –NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South South zone, has put the number of displaced persons and death toll as a result of recent flooding in the zone at 3,353,210 and 17, respectively.

The agency’s zonal coordinator, Mr Emenike Umesi, who said this in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Port Harcourt also said 133,837 persons were displaced while 12 died as a result of communal conflicts in the zone last year.

He also said that 230 were killed and 2,076 displaced by fire while rainstorm also displaced 1,541 and killed 12 in the zone.

Umesi put the  number of those injured and killed  by accidents within the period under review at 27 and 18 respectively.

The coordinator said that relief materials were given to states for distribution during the flooding, and stressed the need for state governments to visit the affected communities with a view to improving their condition.

Umesi stressed the need for  Rivers and Edo States to take more action on the passage of the bills on the formation of State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) while government  in the zone should make conscious efforts to improve emergency management services in view of the  zone’s vulnerability to natural disasters.

He further called for the collaboration of stakeholders on emergency response, while conscious efforts be made to desilt all rivers and creeks across the zone in view of the fast approach of the rainy season.

The NEMA coordinator who advised the people to be careful with the handling of electrical appliances also urged state governments to beef up their fire response mechanisms.

He assured that the agency would continue to collaborate with stakeholders to improve the emergency management procedures and preparedness in the zone.

Super Eagles players led by Victor Moses (right) celebrating their winning goal against Ethiopia, yesterday during their last group match at the ongoing Orange Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. The Eagles will play the Elephants of Cote D’ Ivoire in the quarter finals stage of the competition, on Sunday.