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Tag: SEMA

  • SEMA issues flood alert for Ibadan residents

    SEMA issues flood alert for Ibadan residents

    The Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYOSEMA) has issued a flash flood alert for residents in Ibadan, particularly those in Akinyele, Egbeda, and Oluyole local government areas.

    The agency said this in a statement issued by its Administrative Secretary, Mrs Ojuolape Busari, on Friday in Ibadan.

    Busari said that the flood early warning system’s latest weather forecast indicated that heavy rainfall is expected in the mentioned local government areas.

    She urged residents in the areas to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of potential flooding.

    Busari noted that some areas within the mentioned local governments could receive more than 100mm (about 4 inches) of rain in the next 24 hours.

    She highlighted that the heavy rainfall would be experienced in the North-East side of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) area, and the airport in Ibadan.

    Busari said the flood alert became necessary to activate the concerned local government authorities and communities to take necessary actions to mitigate the risk of flooding and avoid loss of lives, displacement, as well as significant damage to property and infrastructure.

    She added that IITA (Akinyele) and the airport (Egbeda) areas would experience significant rainfall.

    Busari warned that accessibility to major roads in the predicted areas might become difficult or impassable.

    She said that heavy rain would make driving hazardous, advising residents to avoid driving or walking through floodwaters.

    “People living in flood-prone areas should move to higher ground to avoid loss of lives and property,” she said.

  • Maiduguri flood: Situation still terrible – SEMA

    Maiduguri flood: Situation still terrible – SEMA

    Mr Barkindo Mohammed, the Director General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has described the situation in flooded Maiduguri town as “terrible.” Water from Alau Dam, which collapsed early Tuesday morning, has continued to submerge various wards in the town while thousands of displaced residents are scouting for safer places. Mohammed said on Wednesday in Maiduguri that  the agency had since commenced rescue operations and distribution of sandbags.

    “Just now, we went for a rescue and proceeded to distribute sandbags in Gozari. As I am talking to you now I am trapped; we came to rescue some people and we are now trapped with my staff,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, hundreds of people are in the streets  with nowhere to go while some could be seen lying or sitting under tree shades with their families. Musa Abbas, with a family of two women and six children, said he had nowhere to go as his brothers were residing in the Bulumkutu area that needed one to cross the bridge.

    “The bridge is now submerged; I can’t cross and my brothers can only come for me. We will sleep here and continue to pray the rain won’t come,” Abbas said.

    Maiduguri flood: SEMA establishes 2 emergency relief centres

    Meanwhile, the Borno Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has opened two relief camps to cater for thousands of people displaced by flood in Maiduguri following Alau Dam overflow. Director-General of the agency, Mr Barkindo Mohammed, disclosed this in Maiduguri on Tuesday. He said the two camps – Bakassi and Dalori – situated along  Bama road, had the capacity to contain over 10,000 families. While describing the flood as an act of God Almighty, the D-G urged the residents to accept it “as a pre-destined event that nobody has the power to prevent it or question why”.

    Similarly, the State Government Committee on Flood under the coordination of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Bukar Tijjani, has continued to focus on evacuation and provision of relief materials.

    Meanwhile, the Borno Network of Civil Society Organisations (NECSOB), has appealed for urgent assistance from all across Nigeria in support of the flood victims. The Executive Director of the network, Mr Bulama Abiso, said the victims were in dire need of support to cushion the effects of the traumatised situation.

    “A devastating flood has struck Maiduguri, leaving thousands of people homeless, without food, water, or shelter. The situation is dire, and we urgently need your assistance to provide relief to the affected communities,” Abiso pleaded.

    He said such support could be in the form of food and non-food items, medical and financial support.

    Maiduguri flood most catastrophic in 3 decades – Shettima

    Vice President Kashim Shettima says, despite preparations, the severity of the floods in Maiduguri is most catastrophic in over three decades in the state capital. Shettima stated this on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the ravaging floods, in Maiduguri, Borno State. He said the impacts of the floods exceeded estimation, but assured that the Federal Government would prioritise the welfare of the affected communities. President Bola Tinubu had directed  Shettima to, immediately, visit Maiduguri, to assess the devastating flood in the state capital.

    ”The flood’s unprecedented scale has presented challenges beyond our previous experiences. The disaster serves as a sobering reminder of the increasing threats posed by climate change, not just globally, but particularly to North East regions. Nigeria’s vulnerability to flood disasters has been highlighted time and again, as witnessed during the devastating floods of 2012, 2018, and 2022.

    ”The factors contributing to these recurring disasters are diverse, and it is for this reason that Tinubu has developed a comprehensive roadmap to address these challenges headlong. Nonetheless, the Federal Government remains determined in its commitment,” he said.

    Shettima said, as with other states facing similar crises, the government is resolute in mobilising all necessary resources to ensure the safety and support of affected persons. Shettima, who commiserated with victims of the flood disaster, expressed the deepest sympathies of Tinubu to the victims.

    ”I am deeply devastated by the flood that has engulfed Maiduguri and its environs. My heart goes out to the families who have tragically lost their homes and livelihoods in this calamity. Our grief is shared, but so is our resolve to offer support and comfort as you begin to recover from this disaster. Now, more than ever, we are compelled as a nation to come together to overcome the losses suffered, and we are committed to finding lasting solutions to this recurring issue,” he said.

    The vice president added: “The flood, which began over the weekend and worsened in the following days, was the direct result of excess water from the Alau Dam.

    ”The collapse of the spillways unleashed a significant surge of water downstream, causing widespread flooding in the surrounding communities. As we speak, efforts are ongoing to evacuate and resettle residents in the affected areas, while ensuring the provision of food, shelter, and medical assistance until the situation stabilises”.

    Shettima said in response to the 2024 flood Outlook, government had implemented comprehensive contingency plans and adopted proactive measures to mitigate potential impacts. According to him, the government intensified its interventions in flood-prone areas characterised by erratic rainfall patterns and complex river basin dynamics.

    He said the areas had been prioritised in flood mitigation strategies to safeguard communities, protect agricultural zones, and reinforce critical infrastructure. He commended the government of Borno State for its swift and effective response to this tragic situation.

    ”I also want to acknowledge the remarkable resilience of the good people of Maiduguri and surrounding areas, who have demonstrated extraordinary compassion by being their neighbours’ keepers. I am in Maiduguri to oversee the implementation of comprehensive flood mitigation measures.

    ”We will overcome this tragedy as long as our resolve remains strong, as long as we remain united, as long as we remain compassionate, and as long as we prioritise strategic actions to emerge from this even stronger than ever,” he assured.

  • How flood destroyed N7.8bn properties in Bauchi – SEMA

    How flood destroyed N7.8bn properties in Bauchi – SEMA

    The Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has said that more than N7.81 billion farmlands and properties were destroyed to flooding in 16 local government areas of the State.

    Mr Adamu Nayola, the Director, Planning, Research, and Statistics of the agency, stated this in an interview on Monday in Bauchi. Nayola attributed the devastating flood to heavy downpours in the last two months in the northern parts of the state.

    “The floods, which affected communities in 16 hard-hit local government areas, destroyed and damaged houses, farmlands, roads, electricity poles, and domestic animals. This resulted in significant economic losses. Unfortunately, the disaster also claimed several lives with many others injured,” he said.

    He listed the affected areas to include Giade; Shira, Katagum, Gamawa, Zaki, Kirfi, Dambam, Alkaleri, Darazo, Itas Gadau, Toro, Bauchi, Misau, Jama’are, Warji and Ganjuwa.

    According to Nayola, the agency is distributing relief items to the affected communities, adding that the state government was working to assist the victims and mitigate flooding.

    While sympathising with the victims, Nayola urged the people in the flood prone areas to relocate to higher grounds to avert the disaster.

  • Edo: Amid heavy rainfall, fallen trees kill 4, injure many others in Auchi

    Edo: Amid heavy rainfall, fallen trees kill 4, injure many others in Auchi

    Edo Government on Monday visited Jattu Market, near Auchi, where four trees fell, following a storm and rainfall, that killed four and injured many persons.

    Many, including traders, had taken refuge under the trees, when wind and the accompanying rain, uprooted four of the trees, that fell on the people about 9a:m on Monday.

    Deputy Gov of Edo, Marvellous Omabayo, who visited the scene, said the state government was at the market to commiserate with the families of those who lost their loved ones and access the extent of damage.

    Omabayo said the state government would set up State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Auchi due to high pollution of the area to mitigate future occurrence.

    The Deputy Governor commiserated with those who lost their love ones at the market and promised government intervention.

    “As a government, we are here to assess the damage by the downpour and the tragedy in the market.

    ”I have directed the local government to make a report on the incident for us to provide palliative to cushion the effect of the incident.

    “Before the next 24 hours, we will come out with a report on how we can approach the situation.

    “The trees are a century old so we would ensure that trees above 50 years are cut down while new ones are planted,’” he said.

  • SEMA boss reveals number of IDP camps in Benue 

    SEMA boss reveals number of IDP camps in Benue 

    Sir James Iorpuu, Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has said that there are 14 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state.

    Iorpuu  in Jos on Friday  said that the number would increase to 17 when three new camps are inaugurated in January 2024.

    He said that the IDPs camps are located in Makurdi, Guma, Gwer West, Logo and Agatu Local Governments.

    “Before we came into office, we had six IDPs camps in Benue but, as we speak, we have 14 camps.

    “These are not new camps; they were existing, but the previous government did not recognise them. We have recognised and activated them.

    “Before now, there were stories that food and other materials from government were not getting to the IDPs.

    “But that has changed; if you go to Benue now, the IDPs are happy. Some of them are not willing to go back to their homes because the government is taking good care of them,’’ he stated.

    He said that in order to effectively cater for the IDPs, SEMA recruited staff and posted them to various camps to properly manage the IDPs.

    According to him, SEMA mapped out the IDPs in each camp into groups, with some camps having up to eight groups.

    Iorpuu said that the food was usually shared to the groups through the group heads, who make sure that it reaches the people living in the camps.

    “We have even improved on water and sanitation activities. We’re engaging Doctors Without Borders, the United High Commission for Refugees and the Victims Support Fund.

    “These are the major development partners that have been helping us. They developed shelters for the camps, built sanitary facilities and other things.

    “The exact and verifiable data of persons in the camps is being compiled. We don’t want to continue to use the speculative figures we inherited from the last administration.

    “The inherited figure we have been using is 2,146,000 displaced persons but, as I said, this figure is not verifiable, and we are working towards getting something accurate.

    “To get the exact data, we invited the International Organisation on Migration (IOM), which is currently undertaking the biometric capture of IDPs.

    “When they are through with the exercise, we shall ascertain the correct number of people displaced,’’ he added.

     

  • Flood: Edo residents told to relocate to higher grounds

    Flood: Edo residents told to relocate to higher grounds

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has called on residents living on the bank of the River Niger in the state to relocate to higher ground.

    The disaster agency in collaboration with the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also urged residents living in other flood prone areas in the state to relocate to safer locations to avoid disaster.

    NEMA Head of  Operations, Benin Office, Dahiru Yusuf, made the call on Monday in Benin at a stakeholders meeting organised by the agency in collaboration with Edo SEMA.

    Yusuf said  the event was to ascertain the level of preparedness of all stakeholders in flood prone local government areas as well as ensure better response when compared with 2022.

    “We advise the people to relocate from the flood areas because when it comes it would be devastative.

    “But, we are finding it difficult to get them to move; lots of them don’t want to go to the camp.

    “They don’t want to leave their ancestral home to a safer place where government would provide necessary facilities pending when the flood  subsides”.

    “They should ensure that drainages are cleared and not blocked, adhere to building plan, because we have discovered some of the flood, especially not in the river bank is as a result of one construction or the other” he advised.

    Yusuf said that the agency was working to ensure that the state IDP camps were in good shape, fumigated, with the necessary amenities in place to ensure that it was habitable for victims in cases of flood.

    He however, said the agency had already commenced sensitizing the local emergency committee on what to do to mitigate the effect of flood.

    Earlier, the head, Edo State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), Helen Obayuwana, said the state government was worried as  NIMET prediction had added three additional local government areas  prone to flood in the state.

    “We must recognize that flood prevention is key and by  investing in robust infrastructure, early warning systems, and land-use planning, we can significantly reduce the vulnerability of our communities to floods,”.

    She noted that adequate drainage systems and well- maintained canals could help channel water safely and prevent catastrophic flooding.

    She added that flood preparedness, mitigation and response were not the sole responsibility of governments and emergency response services, charging individuals and communities to take step to safe guard their homes.

    The meeting was attended by representatives of the Nigeria Army, Air Force, Police, FRSC, NSCDC, Red Cross, Edo SEMA and representative of flood prone local government areas.

  • Floods kill 23 in Kano State, 50 in Adamawa

    Floods kill 23 in Kano State, 50 in Adamawa

    The Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has confirmed that 23 persons lost their lives to flooding and windstorm in 25 local government areas of the state.

    Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr Saleh Jili disclosed this at an event to mark the 2022 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) in Kano on Friday.

    The theme of the Day is “IDDRR Early Warning and Early Action for all # Only Together”.

    He said the Day is designed to celebrate those working to save lives, restore hope, build resilience and give them sense of belonging after suffering devastations caused by the disasters.

    Jili said the disaster also displaced 20,399 persons, 100 others injured, destroyed 15,000 farmlands and property worth over N2.1 billion in the affected communities from April to date.

    He said the Agency also rescued eight people trapped in a collasped building at GSM Market, Beirut Road in Kano metropolis.

    According to him, the state government has adopted proactive mechanisms to mitigate risk and disaster across the state.

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje reiterated commitment to the protection of lives and property of the people in the state.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Kabiru Getso, Ganduje said the Day would create awareness on the dangers of disasters and how at risk communities could avert it.

    “Disaster management include prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery as well as supporting the victims to survive,” he said.

    He urged the people to desist from indiscriminate dumping of waste on drains, clear blocked water ways, adhere to building codes and environmental regulations.

    Also speaking, Dr Nuradeen Abdullahi, Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Kano Territorial Office, urged relevant stakeholders and development organisations to strengthen early warning to mitigate flood.

    Floods kill 50 in Adamawa – Official

    Similarly, the recent floods killed at least 50 persons in 11 communities in Adamawa and injured 71 others.

    Executive Secretary of Adamawa Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), Malam Suleiman Mohammed, made the disclosure on Friday in Yola.

    He blamed the flooding on the release of water from Lagdo Dam in neighbouring Cameroon.

    Mohammed said also that the flood destroyed 172,000 farmlands and food crops worth millions of naira.

    “Some of the affected local government areas are Numan, Shelleng, Yola South, Yola North, Demsa, Mayo Belwa and Michika,’’ he said.

    He added that the agency had provided clothes, foodstuffs, drugs, mosquito nets, blankets and buckets for victims to assuage their suffering.

    “The items were donated by the state government, the Federal Government and by other donors,’’ he said.

    Mohammed also told that ADSEMA would collaborate with the National Emergency Management Agency to move affected communities to safer areas.

    “We will continue to sensitise the communities about the dangers of living in flood-prone areas,’’ he said.

  • Floods sack 200 households in Makurdi

    Floods sack 200 households in Makurdi

    Floods have devastated more than 200 households in Makurdi.

    Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Emmanuel Shior, made the declaration in Makurdi on Wednesday at the monthly distribution of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    He listed affected parts of the Benue capital as Naka Road, Achusa Kucha Utebe, Gyado Villa, Judge’s Quarters Extension and parts of Nyiman among others.

    Shior noted that flooding was not this terrible in the state in the past.

    He assured that the state’s Committee on Floods had approved the expansion of selected camps in Makurdi, Guma and Logo to accommodate flood victims.

    He added that recent attacks on some communities in the state had resulted in the displacement of more than 400,000 people.

    He said the state government was catering to the victims and to refugees from Cameroon staying in Kwande Local Government Area of the state.

    He appealed to the Federal Government to assist as the burden was becoming cumbersome for the state government.

    Shior said assailants killed and maimed and also destroyed infrastructures such as markets, churches, and schools in communities attacked.

  • Anxiety over continuous ‘snowfall’ in Katsina community

    Anxiety over continuous ‘snowfall’ in Katsina community

    There is palpable anxiety among residents of the Gozaki community in Katsina State’s Kafur Local Government Area over the continuous dropping of ice pellets that have been dubbed snowfall in the community.

    The residents of the community who are majorly farmers showed apprehension about the snowfall because of the adverse effect its had on their crops. The farmers were apprehensive that crops such as millet, rice, soybeans, maize, and pepper grown in large quantities could be destroyed by the heavy downpour of the snowfalls.

    Already, the Chairman of Kafur Local Government Area, Alhaji Garba Kanya has complained that the heavy downpour accompanied by ice pellets has destroyed more than 300 farms in eight communities in the area.

    Alhaji Kanya, along with the District Head of Kafur, Alhaji Abdulrahman Rabe, and top council officials visited the affected area and the affected farmlands at the weekend for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.

    He sympathized with the farmers and encouraged them to continue farming but that they should employ caution in the meantime,

    The Chairman on Monday in Katsina said that the heavy rain and ice pellets lasted for over three hours and affected farms and houses in Dutsen-Kura, Kanya and Gozaki wards.

    The affected communities are Gidan Sabo, Kabalawa, Unguwar Tsamiya, Dandabo, Unguwar Maigarma, Unguwar Danwada, Unguwar Wanzamai and Unguwar Fulani.

    Kanya said that several crops mostly Maize, Millet, Rice, Soya beans and Pepper were destroyed. According to him, the crops destroyed by the disaster are worth millions of naira.

    “After the incident, myself in company of some officials of the Council and the District Head of Kafur, Alhaji Abdulrahman Rabe, were there to sympathize with the people.

    “We were conducted round the affected farmlands to see the level of destruction, it was disturbing because many farms and crops were destroyed. I urged them to take the incident in good faith and seek God’s intervention,” he said.

    Kanya said that the local council has reported the incident to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for its intervention.

  • Heavy rains leave 50 dead, others homeless in Jigawa

    Heavy rains leave 50 dead, others homeless in Jigawa

    The Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said that 50 people, including a newborn, were killed in building collapse due to heavy downpours in different parts of the state.

    The tragedy occurred across the state since the beginning of the rainy season.

    The Executive Secretary of the agency, Alhaji Yusuf Sani, told newsmen that several houses were either damaged or destroyed, rendering several families homeless.

    Sani said the displaced persons were currently taking refuge in 11 temporary camps, while others stayed with their relatives, as the agency was making efforts to open camps to accommodate the victims.

    He added that the agency had been providing the victims, including those staying with their relatives, with items and other basic needs.

    According to him, the worst hit areas are Kafinhausa and Balangu villages, all in Kafinhausa Local Government Area of the state.

    “He said in Kafinhausa, six people died, 68 hospitalised and 1,436 lost thier houses, while in Balangu four people died and 238 lost their houses.

    He said the agency got information of the death of seven people from same family including a newborn baby in a building collapse on Sunday in Kafinhausa.

    “From the report we have, if you combine the number is getting to 50 since the commencement of the rainy season,” the executive secretary said.

    Sani said he could not immediately give the exact number of communities and people affected by the disaster in the state because personnel of the agency were still assessing the level of damage and compiling list of the victims.

    “There is a camp around Kafinhausa that accommodates over 1,000 displaced persons.

    “Some have over 300, so I cannot tell you the exact number because we are still taking people there,” Sani said.

    He, however, commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for its prompt response to the disaster by bringing succour to the victims.

    NEMA has begun the distribution of relief items to the victims in six most affected LGAs of Hadejia, Kirikasamma, Kafinhausa, Birniwa, Kaugama and Malammadori.

    The relief items according to the agency, are: 7,650 bags of rice, 6,450 bags of maize, 950 cans of 20 litres  vegetable oil, 530 cartons of seasoning, 50 bags of 20kg salt and 6,000 bags of cement.

    ” Maybe by tomorrow or so I can tell you the exact number of people affected.

    “And as I was telling you, the disaster occurred in all the 27 LGAs because it’s a matter of rainfall and we had rain for good three days in Jigawa nonstop. So all the 27 LGAs are affected.

    “So our personnel are already in the remaining 21 LGAs taking assessment and as soon as we receive the report, we will forward it to NEMA and donor Organisations for intervention,” the executive secretary added.