NEC CALLS FOR STRONGER STATE EMERGENCY AGENCIES, SEEKS RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR FLOOD RESPONSE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The National Economic Council (NEC) has urged state governments across the federation to strengthen their respective State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and activate Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) in anticipation of likely flooding this year. It also called on the Federal Ministry of Finance to immediately release emergency funds to support flood preparedness and mitigation efforts nationwide.
This directive followed a presentation by the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, during the council’s meeting on Thursday. According to a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the council expressed concern over the increasing risk of floods and the need for coordinated responses at federal, state, and local levels.
The council urged communities and local governments to take ownership of local risk mitigation efforts by actively participating in awareness campaigns and promptly reporting early signs of flooding to the appropriate authorities. It further directed that funds be disbursed to all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and relevant federal agencies to bolster their preparedness.
NEMA’s report outlined several achievements in flood risk management, including the development of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and Action Plan (2024–2027), created with support from the United Nations. The agency also highlighted its ongoing collaboration with the military, the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Red Cross to improve disaster response operations.
The agency’s preparedness measures for 2025 have included reviewing meteorological forecasts, issuing timely flood predictions to states, strengthening SEMAs, establishing LEMCs, and activating both national and zonal Emergency Operations Centres. It has also deployed search and rescue equipment to high-risk areas and launched a nationwide preparedness and response campaign to deliver early warning messages directly to vulnerable communities.
Despite these efforts, NEMA noted that several challenges continue to undermine flood response efforts. These include weak drainage systems, delayed reporting from states, insecurity in flood-prone zones, underperforming emergency management structures at the state level, and non-functional local committees. Additionally, poor compliance with urban planning regulations and inadequate sanitation and waste management practices remain critical issues.
NEC therefore encouraged state governments to prioritise disaster preparedness in their annual budgets, enforce urban development regulations, and institutionalise environmental sanitation as a regular practice. The council emphasised that timely intervention and inter-agency coordination are vital to reducing the impact of floods and safeguarding lives and property.
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