The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has urged state governments across the country to immediately commence proactive measures to prevent and mitigate the impact of flooding.
This followed predictions that more than 30 states may experience severe flooding during the 2026 rainy season.
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According to a statement issued by the agency’s Head of Media Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, Umar made the call in Yola, Adamawa State, during a courtesy visit to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri as part of activities marking the stakeholders’ engagement and flag-off of the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards.
She identified key actions needed to reduce the impact of flooding, including the reintroduction and strict enforcement of monthly environmental sanitation exercises, regular clearing of drainages and waterways, strengthening and supporting State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), and ensuring the inauguration and effective operation of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) at the grassroots level.
Umar disclosed that, in response to the forecasts, NEMA had developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to guide coordinated efforts aimed at reducing flood-related disasters nationwide.
She further explained that through NEMA’s Flood Early Warning System, the agency had identified flood-risk profiles and produced vulnerability maps for communities considered vulnerable across the country to support targeted disaster-risk reduction planning by federal, state, and local governments.
The NEMA boss also appealed to traditional institutions, religious organisations, women and youth groups, the media, and the private sector to partner with the agency in amplifying early warning messages and promoting community preparedness.
In his remarks, Governor Fintiri commended NEMA for its proactive approach to disaster preparedness and response, particularly the early warning and sensitisation campaigns being carried out ahead of the rainy season.
He assured that the Adamawa State Government would carefully consider and implement the agency’s recommendations to reduce the impact of flooding in the state.
The governor also appreciated the various interventions and support consistently provided by NEMA to Adamawa during emergencies and disaster situations. Daily Trust
