The National Emergency Management Agency, Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency, and disaster response organisations have pledged joint efforts to mitigate the impact of the impending flood in Bayelsa.

The Nigeria Meteorological Service and the Nigeria Hydrological Agency had predicted that 30 states of the federation were at risk of flooding in 2025.

Against this backdrop, a stakeholders’ strategic coordination meeting on preparedness and response to floods and other emergencies was held on Thursday at the BYSEMA office in Yenagoa.

Eric Ebhodaghe, head of operations at NEMA’s Port Harcourt zonal office, noted that collaboration was key to effective disaster management.

He explained that NEMA’s mandate includes coordinating organisations and mobilising resources to manage disasters across the federation and urged stakeholders to collaborate to bring relief to victims of anticipated floods.

Mr Ebhodaghe said that NEMA has a robust disaster management plan, which it intends to implement alongside BYSEMA and relevant disaster response organisations operating in the state.

He explained that NEMA complements the efforts of states and local governments when the magnitude of the disaster exceeds the existing capacities of states, providing technical support and training in disaster management.

On the N3 billion flood intervention fund disbursed to flood-prone states by the federal government, he emphasised that the fund was neither warehoused nor managed by NEMA.

“We are not in control of flood intervention funds; the states get the funds directly from the federal government, and NEMA is facing its mandate of coordination and assisting states when the disaster gets out of hand. As we speak, the fund for states is with the states and not with NEMA,” he said.

In his welcome remarks, Walaman Igrubia, director-general of BYSEMA, listed the preparedness of the Bayelsa government ahead of the flood season and solicited the support of the participating organisations.

He noted that the state’s topography posed peculiar challenges to disaster response, adding that high ground areas were being prepared as temporary shelters and camps for flood victims.

Mr Igrubia, who commended NEMA for the proactive stance ahead of the flood season, appealed for closer ties to deepen the efforts being made by the Bayelsa government in flood control.

According to the director general, the state government is clearing natural water channels, desilting rivers and creeks, and constructing dykes to channel excess floodwaters.

He maintained that the magnitude of the annual flood seasons exceeded the capacity of BYSEMA and the state government, and appealed to the federal government to assist Bayelsa.

Representatives of all security agencies, the military, the fire service, the Red Cross, the National Orientation Agency, and voluntary organisations attended the meeting.

The meeting resolved to deepen collaboration and convene further advocacy meetings with officials of the Bayelsa government to enlist their support for disaster response and management plans.

(NAN)