The National Emergency Management Agency in Nigeria is collaborating with stakeholders to review the National Contingency Plan to reposition the country against the impact of disasters.
The Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja, made the disclosure at a two-day Experts Technical Workshop on Disasters Risk Management Implication of NiMET’s 2019 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction in Abuja.
Maihaja, who was represented by the Director, Search and Rescue, NEMA, Air Commodore Akugbe Iyamu, said the review of the national contingency plan would save many lives from preventable causes.
He said that the impact of disasters on lives, properties and environment depends on the country’s level of preparedness, which relies on efficient early warning systems.
The director-general commended the NiMet and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) for their consistency in releasing weather-related information, including SRP, Flood Outlook and other weather-monitoring bulletin.
The flood affected 129 local government areas and 2,321,592 people. In all, 199 deaths were recorded, while 4,107 people were injured and resulting in over 600,000 Internally Displaced Persons.
The damages to property and agriculture land were also massive as over 100,190 houses were damaged and 382,368 agriculture crop lands were destroyed.