— Stakeholders begin grassroots sensitization to mitigate disaster risk
By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has officially flagged off a flood risk preparedness and downscaling program aimed at mitigating the anticipated impact of the 2025 seasonal flooding in vulnerable communities across the state.
The initiative, which is in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), was launched during a stakeholder engagement forum held in Abakaliki. Representing the governor at the event, the State Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Chief Mrs. Ann Aligwe, stated that the program is themed: "Strengthening resilience, enhancing preparedness and response; taking disaster risk management to the grassroots to save lives, restore normalcy and build communal resilience across Nigeria."
She emphasized the governor’s commitment to disaster risk reduction, stating that Governor Nwifuru had approved the program to protect the lives and properties of Ebonyi residents, especially in light of recent climate forecasts that placed the state among the high-risk areas for flooding in 2025.
"His Excellency does not want Ebonyians to be victims of flood disasters this year. This engagement is not just to sensitize but to empower communities with the knowledge and tools needed to respond proactively," she said.
In his keynote address, Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar represented by the Southeast Zonal Director, Mr. Walson Brandon outlined the devastating consequences of previous flood disasters, urging multi-sectoral collaboration to minimize risks. He revealed that NEMA has developed climate-related risk maps and early warning tools tailored for community-level awareness.
“The rainfall and flood forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have predicted significant flood threats in several states including Ebonyi State. As part of our preparedness strategy, we are deploying teams to engage grassroots communities, backed by simulation exercises and mitigation initiatives," Brandon said.
According to him, the agency’s disaster mitigation strategies include capacity-building for local responders, desilting of drainages, rainwater harvesting, contingency planning, and the development of evacuation plans in high-risk areas.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (EB-SEMA), Mr Clement Ovuoba, described the campaign as timely. He referenced the early warnings provided in the seasonal climate prediction released by NIMET in February and the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by NIHSA in April.
“The government of Ebonyi State, under Governor Nwifuru’s leadership, has continually prioritized the safety of residents. Significant resources have already been deployed to support displaced persons and mitigate flood impact,” Ovuoba added.
He assured that the agency would sustain awareness campaigns and collaborate closely with local authorities and traditional institutions to ensure the early warning messages reach all 13 local government areas of the state.
Present at the event were heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, town union leaders, religion leaders and representatives of civil society organizations. They pledged to amplify the sensitization campaign within their communities to avert avoidable losses from the looming flood threat.
The grassroots sensitization is expected to commence immediately following the flag-off, with NEMA and EB-SEMA teams set to visit vulnerable communities across the state.
