The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Benin Operations Office has brought together critical stakeholders in Edo State for a strategic meeting on flood preparedness, response mechanisms, and disaster management strategies.
Declaring the session open, the Head of Operations, Mr. Kenoma Ojuederie, welcomed participants and emphasized that disaster management is a collective responsibility that requires strong collaboration among agencies and communities. He noted that the meeting was designed to strengthen coordination, enhance response capacity, and deliberate on plans for a multi-agency flood simulation exercise in the state.
Mr. Ojuederie recalled that NEMA had earlier launched a National Preparedness and Response Campaign in April, with Benin City hosting one of its flagship events. The campaign, he said, was anchored on two key pillars:
a. Early dissemination of flood risk information to vulnerable communities while reinforcing stakeholder collaboration.
b. Enhancing logistics and operational readiness through drills and simulation exercises.
He added that Edo State was now preparing to replicate lessons from a recent large-scale simulation exercise in Rivers State, which demonstrated the value of inter-agency synergy.
Experts at the meeting reviewed the flood risk outlook for Edo State. With forecasts predicting peak rainfall in southern Nigeria and possible water releases from upstream basins, the state was described as being at heightened risk of flooding. Maps and projections highlighted vulnerable communities and the likely timelines of river level rises.
Stakeholders also discussed key challenges, including coordination gaps among agencies, difficulties in mobilizing resources during emergencies, and the need for more efficient communication channels. Participants stressed that while early warnings are vital, they must be backed by robust response strategies.
The meeting drew representatives from a wide range of agencies and organizations, including the Nigerian Red Cross Society, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ministries of Agriculture, Health, and Environment, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal and State Fire Services, and the Flood and Erosion Watershed Management Agency (FEWMA).
The Red Cross pledged to leverage its strong community outreach network, while NYSC highlighted the role of trained volunteers in disaster response. SEMA’s Executive Secretary provided updates on emergency shelters and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, noting that some facilities were under renovation while others were already in use.
The meeting ended with a consensus on the need for a collaborative, well-coordinated approach to managing flood risks in Edo State. Participants resolved to prioritize the planning of a comprehensive simulation exercise to test preparedness levels, with an agreement to reconvene soon to finalize arrangements.
11th September, 2025
