The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), conducted a flood simulation exercise at the Trade Fair Complex in Birnin Kebbi on Monday, aimed at enhancing response capabilities amid escalating flood threats in the region.
The comprehensive drill brought together various stakeholders including emergency responders, security agencies, local divers, humanitarian officials, and residents from flood-prone communities to practice coordinated action during potential flood emergencies.
NEMA's North-West Director, Sani Lokoja-Alhaji, emphasized the critical importance of the exercise, noting that climate change, deforestation, and human activities along riverbanks have significantly increased the vulnerability of numerous communities in Kebbi and other parts of the North-West region.
"Floods during the peak of the rainy season pose serious threats to lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods across the state," Lokoja-Alhaji stated, highlighting the necessity for proactive planning and coordinated emergency response strategies.
The simulation exercise featured active participation from multiple agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Civil Defence, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Fire Service, and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, demonstrating a multi-sectoral approach to disaster management.
This initiative comes at a critical time as NEMA recently reported that 19 states across Nigeria have already been affected by flooding this year, underscoring the nationwide scale of the challenge and the urgency of preparedness measures.
The exercise in Kebbi represents part of a broader national effort to mitigate the impact of seasonal flooding, which has become increasingly severe in recent years due to changing climate patterns and environmental degradation.
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