The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced a two-day training and orientation programme for stakeholders ahead of a full-scale flood disaster response simulation exercise, code-named Exercise UWAR UMA, in Benue State.
The exercise, whose Tiv name means “Saving Lives”, is designed to test the preparedness and response capacity of relevant agencies, communities and other stakeholders to riverine and urban flooding, while strengthening inter-agency coordination and disaster response mechanisms.
Flagging off the workshop in Makurdi, Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by his Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mrs Mimidoo Iyonu Kadev, directed the state’s disaster and emergency management agencies to commence the evacuation of residents living in flood-prone areas to safer locations designated by the government.
Kadev said the directive followed early warning information from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on possible flooding, stressing that although the impending flood could not be averted, the government had a responsibility to ensure that the state was not caught unawares.
She said intensive awareness campaigns were ongoing through the media to inform residents about the dangers posed by the impending flood.
The special adviser said that the workshop would provide participants with practical disaster-management skills, noting that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) would conduct a practical demonstration on the River Benue on evacuation and flood-response safety measures.
Kadev said the training was particularly important for personnel of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other disaster-management institutions, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Police.
She urged participants to acquire the necessary skills and remain prepared to assist communities that might be affected by flooding.
Speaking at the training, the Acting Zonal Director, NEMA North Central Zone, said the orientation was aimed at giving participating stakeholders a common understanding of the exercise scenario, objectives, operational procedures, communication arrangements and their respective responsibilities.
He noted that Benue remained highly exposed to flooding because of its extensive river systems, floodplains, seasonal rainfall and concentration of settlements and economic activities around the River Benue and its tributaries.
The official stressed that early-warning information must translate into timely community action, including evacuation, rescue, relief and recovery.
He said the response system would adopt a bottom-up approach, beginning with communities through Local Emergency Management Committees and SEMA before escalating to NEMA where necessary.
He explained that Exercise UWAR UMA would assess information dissemination, community response, activation of local structures, mobilisation of additional support and coordination among agencies involved in flood management.
The Acting Zonal Director urged participants to use the exercise to identify weaknesses in their plans, communication systems, logistics, evacuation arrangements and inter-agency coordination.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and Executive Secretary of Benue SEMA, Dr James Iorpuu, represented by the Head of Administration, Atii Samuel Atii, said the exercise was designed to test existing response mechanisms and improve inter-agency coordination.
Iorpuu reaffirmed SEMA’s commitment to proactive disaster risk reduction and appreciated NEMA, security agencies, humanitarian partners and other stakeholders for their support.
The workshop, held at the Fr Alia Conference Hall, SEMA Headquarters, Makurdi, is supported by the World Bank and UNDP under the Sahel Resilience Project for Nigeria.
