The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has called on governments, emergency managers, and relevant stakeholders to integrate weather forecasts into their planning efforts to effectively mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters. Glory Onyegbule, a director at NiMet, made the appeal during a National Emergency Coordination Forum organized by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Abuja on Thursday.
Ms. Onyegbule emphasized the importance of utilizing NiMet’s seasonal climate predictions, which offer critical insights into Nigeria’s weather patterns, including rainfall projections and other climatic factors for 2024. These forecasts, she noted, provide stakeholders with valuable information that can guide strategic planning, especially in the face of increasing extreme weather events.
“NiMet provides detailed predictions about Nigeria’s climate, and it is crucial that emergency managers and planners use this data to prepare and protect their communities,” Ms. Onyegbule said. She stressed that the recent severe flooding in Borno State is a stark reminder of the growing threat posed by climate change, which continues to drive unpredictable and intense weather patterns.
She urged those responsible for managing dams to prioritize maintaining the integrity of these facilities, warning that failing to act swiftly could lead to more devastating flooding in vulnerable areas. According to Ms. Onyegbule, many flood-prone regions in Nigeria will continue to experience recurring floods unless proactive steps are taken to address the issue early in the season. These steps include improving infrastructure, enforcing land-use regulations, and ensuring that communities on floodplains are adequately protected.
“Flooding is a recurring issue that we must address with comprehensive planning and swift action. It’s not just about reacting to disasters but preventing them through early interventions and constant monitoring of at-risk areas,” she stated.
In his remarks, Trond Jensen, the head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Nigeria, highlighted ongoing collaborative efforts between OCHA, NEMA, and state emergency management agencies to provide aid to communities affected by flooding, particularly in Borno State. Speaking virtually from Borno, Mr. Jensen said that his team was on the ground in Maiduguri, working alongside the Nigerian government to provide essential support to displaced and affected populations.
“We are coordinating with NEMA, the military, and other local actors to ensure that those impacted by the floods have access to food, clean water, and other essential supplies. Our goal is to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and ensure that communities can recover as quickly as possible,” Mr. Jensen explained.
OCHA’s team, he added, is also utilizing an online tracking system to monitor emergency stocks, including food and non-food items, as well as shelter materials. This system allows them to quickly assess the availability of resources and respond efficiently to the needs of those affected by the floods.
Mr. Jensen further emphasized that the humanitarian response is a multi-stakeholder effort, with contributions from both national and international partners. “In addition to providing immediate relief, we are focused on long-term solutions, working to build the resilience of vulnerable communities to withstand future climate-related disasters,” he noted.
