National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has conducted Simulation Exercise on Flood Disaster Response, SIMEX, as part of proactive measures against flood disaster in Kebbi State.
Director-General of NEMA, Hajiya Zubaida Umar, said at the end of the exercise yesterday in Birnin Kebbi that it was geared towards achieving the vision of a disaster resilient country.
She said: “It is my honour and privilege to be in your midst on this very important capacity-building programme, preparatory to the flood disaster response simulation exercise in Dukku town, a suburb of Birnin- Kebbi.
“This exercise organised in collaboration with the Kebbi State government is a critical component of our collective preparedness efforts, aimed at enhancing coordination, communication and efficiency among all stakeholders in disaster management in Nigeria.
“This is so, essentially, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara States have been identified as flood-prone states in the North West and North Central regions in the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction by Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, and the Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA.
“As we all know, flooding remains one of the most recurrent and devastating natural disasters in Nigeria with far-reaching impact on lives, livelihoods, infrastructure and communities.”
Umar noted that the recent flood disaster witnessed in Mokwa in Niger State, attest to that fact, saying the essence of the simulation exercise is to expose gaps and strengthen multi-agency collaboration.
“Today, we are simulating a crisis so that we are better prepared to save lives when it becomes a reality.
“Let me reiterate that preparedness saves lives. Our ability to anticipate, respond and recover quickly from disasters depend largely on how well we train and work together before disaster strikes.
“This simulation exercise is, therefore, a proactive step in the right direction. As we go through this exercise, I urge all participants to approach it with professionalism and a learning mindset.
“This will enable us identify areas for improvement and ensure that the lessons learnt would better equip us for future plans and responses,” the director-general said.
In his remarks, Governor Nasir Idris, represented by the
Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Empowerment, Alhaji Muhammad Hamidu-Jarkuka, commended the organisers for their timely preparedness on disaster response.
“The present administration is committed to fulfilling its primary and constitutional mandate of protecting the lives and property of people.
“Let me state that the present leadership’s proactive approach to disaster response is a testimony to our concern for the people and humanity,” he said.
The governor commended the director-general for her remarkable efforts in disaster response and management.
He assured NEMA of the state government’s continued commitment to partner relevant agencies to address flood disaster.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the exercise was conducted by representatives of SEMA, flood-prone communities, riverine areas, local divers and the State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
Others were; representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps and Federal Fire Service among others. (NAN)
