NEMA Launches Flood Preparedness Campaign In Gombe
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Saturday launched the 2025 National Preparedness and Response Campaign in Gombe State to enhance flood readiness and reduce the impact of disasters on vulnerable communities.
The campaign was flagged off by the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who was represented at the event by Mr. Bitrus Samuel, Deputy Director of General Services at the agency.
She noted the need for a collaborative, community-based approach to disaster management.
Umar said the campaign was a direct response to early warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which forecasted potential flooding in several high-risk areas across the country.
She said, “Our engagement aims to bring early warning information to states and communities, enabling them to prepare for and respond effectively to potential flooding. Preparedness and response must be collective efforts. Disaster management is not solely the responsibility of government agencies.”
She commended the Gombe State Government for its proactive steps, particularly the establishment of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) across all 11 local government areas.
According to her, the committees are critical to strengthening flood response strategies and building community resilience.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya, represented by Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to environmental protection and disaster risk reduction.
He noted that the government had invested significantly in land reclamation and erosion control as part of a broader environmental agenda.
While inaugurating the committees, Yahaya charged members to carry out flood awareness campaigns at the grassroots level and report disaster incidents to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for timely action.
He also directed the committees to develop localized Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Resilience strategies tailored to their communities’ specific needs.
“Conduct regular assessments to identify and reduce risks, including environmental, physical, and human factors threatening the communities,” the governor advised, stressing the importance of following the SEMA Disaster Preparedness Plan for effective coordination.
Governor Yahaya further urged residents to maintain clear drainages and use designated waste disposal centres provided in their neighbourhoods to reduce the risk of flooding.
NEMA, working with SEMA, the Fire Service, NiMet, and other partners, also carried out a community outreach in London Mai Dorawa.
The initiative provided practical demonstrations on disaster prevention and emergency response techniques.
Mr. Abubakar Adamu, District Head of Wuro Laddai, expressed gratitude to the participating agencies for their joint effort in improving disaster awareness and preparedness in rural communities.
NEMA Launches Flood Preparedness Campaign In Gombe is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
