NEMA assures farmers: Temporary dry season will soon end

The Director General National Emergency Agency has called on Nigerian farmers not to panic over the temporary dry season being experienced in some states, noting that the situation will soon be over.

The agency’s Director-General, Zubaida Umar, said this in a statement made available on Friday while responding to the recent flood incidents that devastated some communities across the country.

She assured that the current cessation of downpours will soon be over as contained in the seasonal climate predictions released earlier in the year by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

On the raging floodings in some parts of the country, she said the agency has commenced the conduct of assessment of the impacts with the various States Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) to provide timely and appropriate support to the affected persons.

The statement added, “The timely response by NEMA to the flood incidents is in furtherance to the early preparations made by the Agency, in deployment of search and rescue teams and placement of all NEMA zonal and operation offices on alert. The Agency has also commenced deployment of relief items to complement efforts by the various State Governments to provide succor to persons affected by the floods.
“Furthermore, NEMA shall continue with public sensitization as well as grassroots awareness through advocacies and workshops on solid waste management to raise public consciousness on clearance of blocked drainages and water ways.”

“The Director General NEMA Zubaida Umar re-affirms commitment of the Agency to coordinate and provide necessary support towards efficient disaster management in the country. She reiterates that communities at risk of flooding and those living along water ways should relocate to safe higher grounds ahead of the peak of the raining season.”