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Tag: NEMA

  • No casualty at Lagos collapsed 3-storey building — NEMA

    No casualty at Lagos collapsed 3-storey building — NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency on Saturday confirmed that there was no casualty in the three-Storey building that collapsed at Ikpoh Street, Surulere, Lagos.

    Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Territorial Coordinator, NEMA, confirmed the incidence to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    The building came down at about 10.00 p.m. on Friday night at No. 14 Ikpoh Street Surulere.

    Meanwhile, an occupant of the building, Mr Gervase Anyanwu, a buisiness man, told NAN that all the other occupants were able to run out of the building before it came down completely.

    Anyanwu said that before the building came down, there was a large sound at one of its wings.

    “Immediately we heard the sound, all the occupants of the building gathered at the mustard point, before evacuating for safety.

    “No casualty was recorded,” Anyanwu said.

    Anyanwu said the immediate evacuation of the occupants was “simply by the grace of God”.

    However, NAN gathered from another resident of the street that the building had shown serious signs of distress before it came down.

    As at the time of this report, escavation of the rubbles from the building was yet to commence, but all the relevant government agencies in charge of emergency had shown their presence at the site.

  • Heavy downpour submerges homes, streets in Lagos

    Heavy downpour submerges homes, streets in Lagos

    A heavy downpour on Saturday has wreaked havoc across various parts of Lagos state, with several homes and cars submerged and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

    Areas particularly affected include Agege, Ajegunle, Egbeda, Ikotun, Ojo and Orile, where floodwaters covered most drainage channels and surged through streets, highways and residences.

    A viral video showed the road leading to the popular Trade Fair market in Lagos State was equally affected, as pedestrians and motorists waded through the waters.

    Floodwaters surged through streets and residences in Lagos after a heavy downpour on Saturday.

    As of now, it remains uncertain whether there have been any casualties due to the flooding.

    Residents of the affected areas have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for swift and effective intervention to mitigate the damage and provide essential support to the affected populace.

    However, Governor Sanwo-Olu charged residents to stop the indiscriminate dumping of refuse, stating, “We can change some of our behaviors. When people block drainages, there is no magic—they will be blocked, and there will be flooding.”

    Citing a recent incident in Oshodi, he added: “we had a blocked drainage somewhere around Oshodi, all it took was for us to also remove the tyres and the rest of it, and within 30 minutes, the entire (blockage in the) drain was gone.”

    The territorial coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, appealed to the residents of Lagos State to take personal safety precautions.

    Farinloye added that NEMA was assisting with provision of children and women wears, mattresses, antiseptic, and other immediate assistance to residents of some of the affected areas.

    Last month, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) gave warning concerning the increased risk of flooding across the country, identifying 178 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as being at high risk of severe flooding.

    Coastal states such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Rivers as well as major cities in the country were foreseen to face challenges related to flash and urban floods.

  • Downpour: Tragedy as flood sweeps motorcycle rider into Lagos canal

    Downpour: Tragedy as flood sweeps motorcycle rider into Lagos canal

    Tragedy struck in the Ile-Epo area of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos on Saturday as a motorcycle rider was swept into a canal by flood resulting from a morning downpour,

    Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Territorial Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), disclosed this in Lagos.

    Farinloye said that the rider, simply called Mr Abe, was swept off after refusing to heed to warnings from his colleagues not to ride during the rain, close to the Ile Epo Bus-stop canals in the area.

    He said that the incident happened around 10.30a.m. and the victim had yet to be recovered as of the time he was speaking.

    Meanwhile, the rainfall, which started early in the day and lasted for hours, also led to flood affecting residents in Papa Ashafa and Fashola communities, in Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    Farinloye said that some people displaced were taking refuge in four churches in the area.

    “Some vulnerable groups have moved to temporary safe facilities, while the adults are salvaging their water-impacted properties.

    “NEMA is assisting the owner of a building where the fence collapsed,” he said.

    He said that there was the need to salvage the building by reconstructing the fence to solidify the base, to prevent it from collapsing on a nearby bungalow.

    Farinloye said that the Director-General, of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed, had directed the immediate release of relief materials to the affected flood victims in Lagos.

    “Children wears, women wears, mattresses, antiseptics and other immediate assistance to the impacted population at Orile-Agege Local Government Area to provide immediate succour to about 200 people this afternoon are being loaded currently, ” Farinloye said.

    He appealed to Lagos residents to take utmost precautions during such heavy rainfall.

    Farinloye said that NEMA and other emergency agencies were on assessment exercise at some flash points, and discussed with affected populations, proffering immediate solutions in handling such situations.

    NEMA official and some people in the flood-affected community, on Saturday in Lagos
    NEMA official and some people in the flood-affected community, on Saturday in Lagos.

    NEMA official and some people in the flood-affected community, on Saturday in Lagos
    NEMA official and some people in the flood-affected community, on Saturday in Lagos

    Meanwhile a resident of the area, Mr Ibrahim Mufta, told NAN that the area was in terrible condition, while calling both Federal and Lagos State governments to come to their aid.

  • NEMA raises alarm, lists 13 States to experience flood this week

    NEMA raises alarm, lists 13 States to experience flood this week

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says 13 States and 50 communities, mainly up North, are likely to witness heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding between September 13 and 17.

    Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Lagos Territorial Coordinator, NEMA, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

    Farinloye listed the States and communities to include Kano State, with communities like Sumaila and Kunchi, likely to be affected.

    He also said that Kebbi State, with communities like Argungu, and Katsina State, with Bindawa, Jibia, Kaita, Katsina communities would be affected.

    Other states he said were Niger, with Kontagora, Mashegu, and New Bussa communities, as well as Kwara State, and Kosubosu community.

    “Zamfara State, with such communities as Kaura Namoda and Shinkafi; Bauchi State, with Bajoga, Darazo, Kirfi, Azare, Jama ‘are, Itas, Misau;  Taraba, with Bali, Donga, Lau, Serti, Mutum-Biyu, Yorro, and Borno State, with Briyel, Biu, Dikwa, Kukawa will be affected,” he said.

    He also said that Adamawa with Ganye, Mubi, Demsa, Jimeta, Mayo Belwa, Numan, Shelleng, Song, communities as well as Yobe, with Dapchi, Gashua, Geidam, Kanamma, Machina, Potiskum would be affceted.

    Gombe State with Nafada and Jigawa, with Dutse, Gumel, Gwaram, Miga communities were the other states and communities the territorial coordinator said would be affected.

    Farinloye added that due to the rise in the water levels of Rivers Benue and Niger, communities along the two Rivers, up to Bayelsa were advised to take precautionary measures in the coming days.

    He acknowledged the National Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) Central Hub, Federal Ministry of Environment Abuja in its predictions.

  • Lagdo dam: Remain calm, NEMA urges Nigerians as NISHA reveals 8.97m water flow level

    Lagdo dam: Remain calm, NEMA urges Nigerians as NISHA reveals 8.97m water flow level

    In preparation for possible flood disasters this year, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged citizens to be calm, this is despite the 8.97 metres flow level as revealed by the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA).

    According to NEMA, compared to the 2022 flow level which was pegged at 8.80 meters, the level this year has recorded an increase of 17 metres.

    With the increasing concerns of the release of water from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon,, the NISHA had provided that the flow level of River Niger system, especially at Niamey, Niger Republic, remains stable at a normal level of 4.30 meters and similarly, inland dams including Kainji, Jebba, and Shuroro reported consistent flow regimes.

    In readiness to the effect, the Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, has said to cushion the effect of the flood, de-escalation of early warning messages to states; TV and radio appearances; TV and radio jingles and issuing press releases, clearing of drainages, readiness to embark on rescue mission, among others have been planned.

    The NEMA Boss at a stakeholders’ meeting on the release of water from the dam, assured that the country has commenced release of water from the Dam at the rate of 200 cubic meters per second which is about 18 million cubic meter of water per day.

    According to him, the release from Lagdo may result to all front line states experiencing flooding in subsequent days and weeks.

    He added that it was of great importance to also note that the Dam might commence full discharge of excess water in the event that the region experiences heavy amount of rainfall.

    “Coordination is a vital component of disaster management which needs to be given adequate attention to ensure timely and efficient response.

    “To ensure effective coordination and implementation of various policies therefore, the agency has dimmed it fit to invite critical stakeholders to this Forum to deliberate on how to respond and mitigate the impeding flood we are currently being faced with, in Nigeria.

    “The 2012 flood menace caused by the release of water from the Dam, which ravaged many state within the country will not be easily forgotten. You will recall that the 2022 flood disaster claimed 665 lives, displaced 2,437,411 persons and affected 4,476,867 persons.

    “We have already started experiencing flood in some parts of the country this year with the rainfall. The release from the Lagdo Dam will only worsen the flood situation and therefore calls for concerted effort so as to address and mitigate the impact.

    “Information available from the flow level of the River Benue at Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) gauging station in Makurdi stood at 8.97 meters as of August 25th, 2023, compared to 8.80 meters on the same date in 2022.

    “NIHSA has provided that the flow level of River Niger system, especially at Niamey, Niger Republic, remains stable at a normal level of 4.30 meters. Similarly, inland dams including Kainji, Jebba, and Shiroro reported consistent flow regimes”.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports that states on the downstream of River Benue are Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa States.

  • Lagdo Dam: NEMA lists States likely to be flooded

    Lagdo Dam: NEMA lists States likely to be flooded

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said that Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra states are likely to be flooded, following the release of water from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

    Mr Mustapha Ahmed, Director-General, NEMA, who disclosed this at the National Emergency Coordination Forum meeting, on Wednesday in Abuja said others include Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states  .

    He said that the states, located at the downstream, must begin to take concerted effort to address and mitigate the impact of the impending flooding.

    According to him, the meeting was necessitated by the notification received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the modulated release of water from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

    He said that the country had commenced release of water from the Dam at the rate of 200 cubic meters per second which is about 18 million cubic meter of water per day.

    He said that the release may result to all frontline states experiencing flooding in subsequent days and weeks.

    “The states on the downstream of River Benue are Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states.

    “Information available from the the flow level of the River Benue at Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) gauging station at Makurdi stood at 8.97 meters as of Aug. 25, 2023 compared to 8.80 meters on the same date in 2022.

    “Also, NIHSA has provided that the flow level of River Niger system, especially at Niamey, Niger Republic, remains stable at a normal level of 4.30 meters.

    “Similarly, inland dams including Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro reported consistent flow regimes,” he said.

    The director-general added that immediate evacuation of Nigerians from various communities to safer destinations should be carried out by all stakeholders to mitigate possible flood disaster this year.

    He however called on Nigerians to remain calm as the agency would continue to work with bother government partners to provide succour including food and non-food items to affected people in the IDPs camps and host communities.

    Earlier, Dr Onimode Bandele, Director, Planning, Research and Forecasting, NEMA, said that the meeting was convened to update and discuss with stakeholders from various sectors on the issues around the release of water from Lagdo Dam and the present flood situation in the country.

    He said that it was important to solicit their meaningful contribution in other to chart the way forward to address possible challenges, prepare, mitigate and respond to humanitarian issues that the water release may cause.

    In his remarks, Mr Clement Nze, Director-General, NIHSA, said it was important to deploy high level of preparedness on the part of the federal and state governments, especially in the likely affected states

    He added that citizens, including all agencies and stakeholders charged with disaster response and reduction must step up action and put in place measures to mitigate and avert eventual flood disaster.

  • LAGDO dam: We’re working with stakeholders to reduce impact – NEMA

    LAGDO dam: We’re working with stakeholders to reduce impact – NEMA

    …says Delta, Edo, Rivers, Taraba others should be on the lookout

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has allayed the fears of Nigerians over the release of the excess water from Lagdo dam, which is located on River Benue in the Republic of Cameroon.

    The Agency in a statement by its press unit, signed by Ezekiel Manzo, said it is working with critical stakeholders at the Federal, States and Local Governments to ensure that the release do not cause much negative impacts on the low-lying communities along the states that would be affected.

    The statement reads: “The states on the downstream of River Benue are Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa States.

    “The Agency envisaged this release of excess water from the Lagdo dam, taken note of the likely impacts and considered in the preparations for mitigation and response to the 2023 flood alert.

    “Information available from the flow level of River Benue at Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) gauging station in Makurdi stood at 8.97 meters as of August 25th, 2023, compared to 8.80 meters on the same date in 2022”.

    NEMA also stated that, “In contrast, NIHSA has also provided that the flow level of the River Niger system, specifically at Niamey, Niger Republic, remains stable at a normal level of 4.30 meters. Similarly, inland dams including Kainji, Jebba, and Shiroro reported consistent flow regimes.

    “With regards to the hydrological station downstream the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers in Lokoja, Kogi State, are currently within normal limits. The downstream monitoring station, however, registered a flow level of 7.80 meters on August 25th, 2023, compared to 8.24 meters on the same date in 2022”, the agency added.

  • Massive flooding looms in Nigeria as Cameroon set to open Lagdo Dam

    Massive flooding looms in Nigeria as Cameroon set to open Lagdo Dam

    Authorities at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have been alerted to a possible flooding along the River Benue basin in a few days due to the imminent release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the alert in a letter dated August 21, signed by the director of African Affairs, Umar Salisu.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, East and Central African Division, in the letter, noted that it received a Note Verbale from the High Commission of the Republic of Cameroon indicating that Cameroon’s officials had resolved to open the flood gates of the Lagdo Dam on the Benue River.

    The development, according to the letter addressed to the director general of NEMA, said it was due to increased rainfall in the dam’s catchment areas in Northern Cameroon.

    The letter urged NEMA to take all the necessary proactive steps and actions to mitigate and avoid the damage that the released water may cause along the River Benue basin in both Cameroon and Nigeria.

    It also urged the Agency to take proactive steps and actions to sensitise the populace living in such areas to be vigilant and take all necessary precautions.

    The letter reads in part: “According to the Note, it is pertinent to note that when the release of water becomes necessary, the authorities of the Lagdo Dam will be releasing only modulated variable small amount of water at a time in order to mitigate and avoid damage that the released water may cause along the River Benue basin in both Cameroon and in Nigeria.”

     

  • JUST IN: 19 States, 56 communities to experience massive floods this August – [SEE FULL LIST]

    JUST IN: 19 States, 56 communities to experience massive floods this August – [SEE FULL LIST]

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed that 19 States and 56 communities across the country are likely to witness massive floods this month of August.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Lagos Territorial Coordinator of NEMA made this known in a statement on Monday in Lagos State, stressing this will result from heavy rainfall.

    Farinloye listed the States and communities as: Delta: Aboh, Ekiti State; Ado Ekiti, Ondo State; Akure, Idanre, Ifon, Iju Itaogbolu, Ogbese, Owo, Owena, Ondo

    Others he said included: Lagos State; Apapa, Badagry, Eti Osa, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Ikoyi, Lagos Island, Ojo Lagos, Surulere; Anambra; Atani; Ogun; Ifo, Ota, Sagamu; Nasarawa State; Lafia, Wamba and Cross River; Ikom, Ogoja.

    Farinloye also listed Bauchi State: Jamaare , Misau, Azare, Itas ,Kafin Madaki,Kari, Kirfi, Tafawa Balewa, Katagum; Jigawa; Hadejia, Miga; Osun State; Ilesa, Oshogbo and Kwara; Kosubosu.

    The rest he said are Zamfara; Anka, Bungudu, Gusau; Sokoto State; Goronyo; Adamawa; Numan, Shelleng; Taraba: Serti; Benue; Ito, Katsina-Alan, Vande-Ikya; Imo State: Oguta, Orlu and Abia State; Ugba.

  • NEMA partners media on disaster, emergency reporting

    NEMA partners media on disaster, emergency reporting

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sought the partnership of the media on the reportage of disaster and emergency occurrences in the country.

    The director-general of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, stated this at a workshop for media practitioners on Saturday in Lagos.

    The workshop was titled: “Disaster Resilience in Media: Sensitisation Workshop on Promoting Ethical and Ethical Reporting for Media Practitioners.”

    Mr Ahmed said NEMA intended to use the workshop to foster collaboration and networking with the media.

    He said the goal of NEMA was to facilitate effective information dissemination during emergencies.

    “By working together, we can ensure that timely and accurate information reaches the public, creating much-needed awareness and enabling them to make informed decisions and take necessary precautions where applicable,” Mr Ahmed said.

    He said the objective of the workshop was to provide a clear understanding of NEMA’s operations, Nigeria’s triple response structure and its relationship with sub-national actors.

    Mr Ahmed added that the workshop would provide an opportunity for NEMA to interact with media practitioners, share learning, insights and equip media practitioners with knowledge needed in their reportage.

    According to him, it will enable media practitioners to mediate misinformation, disinformation and fake news while building resilience in the sector.

    Mr Ahmed, however, enjoined media practitioners to act as gatekeepers in this era of disinformation.

    “We trust you to act as the bulwark against misinformation and fake news and the shenanigans of citizen journalists and fifth columnists,” Mr Ahmed said.

    Contributing, NEMA’s director, special duties, Onimode Abdullahi, in his technical presentation, explored the history of NEMA, the agency’s mandate and its efforts on disaster management.

    The first panel discussion focused on “navigating challenges in disaster reporting, insights from media practitioners.

    The second technical presentation had the topic “collaborative approaches in disaster reporting, strengthening partnerships for effective communication and was led by communications management expert, Chido Nwakanma.

    Public relations and development expert, Toni Kan, facilitated the third technical presentation with the theme: “Ethics in disaster reporting: balancing sensationalism and responsible journalism.