Delta Flood Preparedness Faces Insufficient Funding, Limited Cooperation, and Lack of Resources – Stakeholders
ASABA/Nigeria: Insufficient funding, limited stakeholder capacity, lack of ambulances and mobility, inadequate cooperation between stakeholders, scarcity of relief materials, difficult terrain, and the absence of personal protective equipment (PPE) are significant barriers to effective flood disaster preparedness by the government and relevant agencies.
These challenges were underscored at a one-day Stakeholders Forum on Sensitization and Public Awareness Campaign on Proper Waste Management and Flood Preparedness, organized by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the Delta State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Asaba, Delta State’s capital.
State Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Terry Etacherure, commended NEMA and SEMA for the timely organization of the workshop. He urged participants to engage actively and assured that their valuable input would be integral to the measures implemented to mitigate flood impacts in the state.
In response to seasonal rainfall predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA), Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori established a State Flood Management Committee, chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu. “The committee, which will collaborate with SEMA and other relevant agencies, aims to prevent undue hardship for Deltans during this period,” Etacherure stated.
Mr. Charles Arinomo, a resource person at the event, highlighted the recurrent flooding in Delta State since 2012 and its severe humanitarian impacts, including loss of lives and property, disease outbreaks, damaged infrastructure, disrupted educational and political systems, and water contamination. He stressed the importance of proactive measures to prevent, mitigate, or respond to the humanitarian consequences of disasters.
Director of SEMA, Mr. Karo Ovemeso, and Head of Operations for NEMA Edo, Mr. Dahiru Yusuf, emphasized the need for collective efforts in waste management to mitigate flood impacts. They called on all relevant agencies, individuals, and institutions to collaborate with the state government in flood prevention and mitigation for 2024.
The forum was also attended by key dignitaries, including Permanent Secretary, Bureau, Prince Gregory Ejohwomu; CSP Chuks Ukadike, representing the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command; Engr. Kennedy Onyemobi, State Meteorological Manager, Delta State (NIMET); and Deputy Commandant Michael Okafor, representing the State Commandant (NSCDC).)
