The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Flood Management, led by its Chairman Midala Balami, has announced plans for the establishment of mandatory swift response local emergency committees in states.
This decision follows an oversight visit to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Headquarters, in Abuja on Tuesday, where the committee identified significant challenges and gaps in disaster response.
During the visit, Balami highlighted the lack of local emergency committees as a major challenge.
He emphasised that the committees would be crucial for effective disaster response, and serve as the first line of response in areas where disasters occurred.
According to him, without them, efforts to respond to emergencies may not be effective.
To this end, he said, the committee would introduce a legislation that would make it mandatory for all states to establish the swift response local emergency committees.
Balami said that the effective deadline for states to comply would be the end of September, and vowed to follow up on implementation.
The committee chairman emphasised the importance of coordination and resource allocation in disaster response.
He noted that NEMA’s efforts would be more effective with sufficient resources and backing.
The lawmaker noted that having offices in all the 36 states and adequate resources would significantly enhance their response capabilities.
Balami stressed the need for a shift in focus toward prevention and mitigation, rather than just response.
He highlighted the importance of standardisation and enforcement of measures to prevent emergencies, particularly flooding, which could save more lives than response efforts alone.
Balami acknowledged NEMA’s efforts but stressed that the agency needed more resources and backing to effectively coordinate disaster response.
The committee chairman explained the importance of prevention and mitigation in disaster management, noting that these aspects needed more attention.
He said the committee was also planning to have subsequent engagements with NEMA and other relevant agencies to develop a harmonised approach to addressing flooding in Nigeria.
According to him, the goal is to make Nigeria safer and reduce the loss of life and property due to flooding.
He added that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen collaboration and understand NEMA’s mandate, operational matters, and response strategies to flooding in Nigeria.
The Director-General, NEMA, Zubaida Umar appealed to the committee to fast-track the bill which is already currently before it.
According to her, the bill aims to address flood management challenges in Nigeria and provide a framework for more effective disaster response.
Umar informed the committee that the bill had undergone first and second readings and was now before the public hearing committee.
She expressed optimism that the bill, once passed, would significantly improve NEMA’s ability to manage floods and respond to guidelines.
The NEMA boss noted that while the bill might not solve all problems, it would be a significant step towards improving disaster management in Nigeria.
She further explained the agency’s achievements and challenges in flood management called for collaboration and coordination among various agencies and stakeholders in disaster response.
Umar added that, in spite of NEMA’s achievements, the agency had faced several challenges, such as lacking the necessary resources, including equipment and personnel, to respond effectively to disasters.
“There is a need to define the threshold for NEMA’s intervention in disaster response, to ensure that the agency responds effectively without overwhelming local authorities.
“NEMA lacks the authority to enforce regulations and guidelines for disaster management, which hinders its ability to prevent disasters.
“Notwithstanding, NEMA is developing a national policy on disaster management, which will provide a framework for disaster response and management,” she said.
She also invited the committee members to visit NEMA’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to gain a deeper understanding of the agency’s operations.
