Environment
2018: NEMA Records 42 Major Disasters In S’East …Floods, Erosion Top Chart
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it recorded 42 major disasters in three states of the South-East Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu in 2018.
The Zonal Co-ordinator of NEMA, Mr Walson Ibarakumo disclosed this during a NEMA South-East Zone Stakeholders Interactive Meeting in Enugu. He said: “For Anambra, 15 disasters, including urban and river flooding, fire incidents, and erosion were reported.
“Over 300,000 persons were affected by the floods that ravaged the state between September and October, 2018.
“Three interventions are so far made by the agency, with food and non-food items supplied to over 17 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps during the flooding.
“Recovery efforts are ongoing with the Emergency Operations Centres, set up by the agency after the declaration of national disaster by the Federal Government.’’
He also disclosed that Ebonyi witnessed 11 disasters across the state, with communal conflict ranking as outstanding.
“Other reported incidents in Ebonyi include fire disaster and flooding which affected three local government area. Interventions were carried out within the period, with rehabilitation and recovery efforts presently ongoing,’’ he said.
The zonal co-ordinator said that 16 major disasters were reported in Enugu State with windstorm being most of the disasters.
“Fire incidents were also reported in Enugu metropolis. Erosion is also a major incident that affected communities in Udi and Nsukka.
“The agency has just concluded direct distribution of relief materials to persons affected by windstorm in communities of Federated Agbogugu Autonomous Communities in Awgu council area,’’ he said.
On the meeting, Ibarakumo said that it was meant for the stakeholders to interact and identify areas of strength and weakness in disaster and emergency responses in 2018; while fashioning out new ways to tackle issues better.
In a goodwill message, Executive Secretary of SEMA in Enugu State, Mrs Nkechi Eneh, lauded NEMA and the Federal Government for all intervention to disaster hit communities in the state.
Eneh, who assured of the continual co-operation of Enugu SEMA, however, urged stakeholders to take concerted efforts toward sensitising and educating students and pupils on their roles and responsibility in an emergency or disaster situations.
Executive Secretary of SEMA in Ebonyi, Pastor Ken Ezeh, stressed on the need to train more community volunteers and focal persons on disaster and emergency issues so that the effect of the meeting would trickle down to the grassroots.
“There is a need for us to raise the awareness about disaster and emergency situations at the grassroots.
“So, I suggest those at this meeting should further take the message on what they had been taught at home to council areas and communities in our various states,’’ Ezeh said.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a seven-day flood advisory, warning of a medium flood risk in 17 states between July 21 and July 27.
The agency said the alert followed rising water levels at key river monitoring stations, increasing the likelihood of localised flooding along river channels and floodplains.
NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, disclosed this in National Flood Advisory (Alert No. NFA-2026-200) issued on Tuesday.
He said the affected states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
According to Mohammed, river levels at Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River and Amber on the Amber River had exceeded watch and warning thresholds.
He said 16 gauging stations nationwide were recording elevated river stages, placing nearby communities at risk of localised flooding.
Mohammed urged state governments, local authorities and residents of flood-prone communities to take precautionary measures immediately.
NIHSA said Bauchi had the highest exposure, with 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets identified as vulnerable.
The agency also identified vulnerable communities and public facilities in Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue states.
Mohammed urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), local governments and community leaders to activate emergency response plans.
He recommended relocating residents, livestock and valuables from floodplains to safer locations
He also advised emergency agencies to pre-position food, medical supplies and water treatment materials in areas likely to be affected.
“The NIHSA boss called for community mobilisation through early warning volunteers and local communication channels to ensure timely dissemination of flood alerts.
He cautioned residents against walking, driving or riding through flooded roads, bridges and fast-flowing waterway.
A cleaner environment begins with collective responsibility. That commitment was evident across Umuahia on Saturday as thousands of residents turned out to participate in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, with officials describing the compliance level as one of the most encouraging in recent months.
The impressive turnout has renewed hope that Abia’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment is steadily becoming a culture rather than a routine exercise.
The July monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Umuahia recorded about 80% compliance.
The Abia State Ministry of Environment described the turnout as a strong indication that residents are embracing Governor Alex Otti’s vision for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment, while calling for the establishment of Neighbourhood Environmental Watch groups to sustain the momentum.
The Abia State Government has commended residents of Umuahia for their impressive participation in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing the turnout as a strong indication that citizens are embracing the state’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment.
Speaking after monitoring the exercise across major parts of the Umuahia metropolis, the Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance and urged residents to sustain the momentum.
According to him, the success recorded during the exercise reflects growing public support for the environmental agenda of the Labour Party-led administration.
“I think, so far, so good. At this point, what we need to do is sustain the momentum. We should move forward with establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch so that residents can monitor compliance and ensure the initiative is sustained,” he said.
Mr. Oriuwa further applauded both residents and the organisers for the success of the exercise.
“Well, I must say I am very impressed. I appreciate the organisers for putting this programme together. It has been highly impressive, and I believe participants have learnt a great deal. From what I have observed so far, everything has been well organised, and I think they are doing an excellent job. I encourage them to keep up the good work because programmes like this are beneficial to everyone,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary stressed that environmental sanitation should become a daily culture rather than an activity observed only on designated sanitation days.
Drawing from an Igbo proverb, he explained why communities must collectively protect their environment.
“An Igbo proverb says that a goat owned by the public often goes hungry. That is why establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch is important. It will encourage residents to take collective responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and ensuring that sanitation efforts are sustained.”
He also urged government agencies to strengthen enforcement by deploying environmental health officers to carry out routine inspections and ensure compliance with sanitation laws.
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