A staggering 16,000 families in Lagos State bore the brunt of the 2022 floods, with the repercussions extending to 6,000 farmers who faced substantial losses in seedlings and farm produce, as disclosed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The grim statistics were released by Ibrahim Farinloye, the Coordinator of NEMA in Lagos, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of the flooding on the community.
In a statement sent to TheNewsZenith on Saturday, Farinloye highlighted the multi-faceted impact of the 2022 floods on various sectors of the economy, prompting NEMA to address the situation through a strategic initiative in collaboration with the World Bank.
The initiative focuses on fortifying resilience and drawing valuable lessons from the challenges posed by the 2022 flood disaster.
Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed, the Director-General of NEMA, was quoted in the statement, emphasizing the severity of the 2022 flooding that affected 16,000 families and caused significant losses for 6,000 farmers in terms of seedings and farm produce.
Ahmed stressed the imperative to reassess efforts related to flooding incidents, identify existing gaps, and implement measures to bridge those gaps for a more effective and efficient response in the future.
In response to the crisis, NEMA swiftly directed its Lagos Territorial Office and other field offices to mitigate losses and bolster the resilience of Nigerians in preparation for the 2023 rainy season.
The proactive measures implemented by NEMA yielded positive results, as evidenced by a substantial reduction in losses despite a doubling of rainfall during the 2023 season.
“The 2022 flooding served as a wake-up call, prompting us to take decisive action to mitigate the impact on families and farmers.
The drastic reduction in losses this year is a testament to our collective efforts and strategic planning,” read a part of the statement issued by NEMA.
Expressing gratitude, the NEMA boss extended heartfelt thanks to the Lagos State government for their collaborative synergy and partnership, acknowledging the pivotal role they played in the agency’s response efforts.
The cooperation between NEMA and the state government proved instrumental in alleviating the impact of the floods and fortifying the region’s resilience against future natural disasters.
As Lagos navigates the aftermath of the 2022 flood disaster, NEMA’s swift and strategic response stands as a beacon of hope, illustrating the importance of collaborative initiatives and proactive measures in building resilience and safeguarding communities from the unpredictable forces of nature.
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