By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
In a bid to mitigate the impact of flooding, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with Benue State Emergency Management Agency, with support from UNDP, UNICEF and World Bank Partners, on Tuesday organised a Full-scale Flood Disaster Response Simulation Exercise in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The simulation exercise is aimed at raising awareness on flood hazards and clarifying the roles of communities and stakeholders in responding to the 2026 flood prediction, particularly in parts of Benue State.
The simulation exercise, code-named “Uwar Uma,” provides an opportunity for all participating stakeholders to develop a common understanding of the exercise, operational procedures, roles and responsibilities, communication arrangements and the mechanisms for coordinated response.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Zonal Director of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Sulieman Mohammed, explained that the exercise is intended to ensure that participants are familiar with the bottom-up emergency response approach, beginning at the community level and progressively escalating through the Local Emergency Management Committee (I.EMC), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and, where necessary, to the Federal level.
According to him, Benue State remains highly exposed to flooding due to its extensive river systems, floodplains, seasonal rainfall and the concentration of settlements and economic activities around the River Benue and its tributaries.
He added that the prevailing flood risk therefore demands that preparedness and response arrangements remain proactive, coordinated and practical, insisting that early warning information must translate into timely community action, evacuation, rescue, relief and recovery support.
Mr. Mohammed urged the stakeholders to maintain discipline, professionalism and show strong commitment to teamwork and give particular attention to the safety of personnel, volunteers and members of the public throughout the simulation.
He insisted that the principles, procedures and lessons from the programme should be applied during the field exercise and subsequently captured during the Hot Wash and After-Action Review.
The Acting Zonal Director commended the Government and people of Benue State, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Local Emergency Management Committees, participating communities, government institutions, security and response agencies, humanitarian organisations and technical partners for their commitment to strengthening flood preparedness and resilience in the State.
“I particularly appreciate our development and humanitarian partners, including UNOCHA, UNDP, UNICEF and the World Bank, for their valuable support towards the successful conduct of this exercise. Your continued partnership contributes significantly to strengthening disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response capacities in Nigeria”, he said.
Earlier, in his remark, the Executive Secretary of Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. James Iorpuu, said the workshop was aimed at strengthening the State preparedness, testing Agency response mechanisms, and improving inter-agency coordination for effective disaster management in the state.
The Executive Secretary who was represented by the Administrative Secretary, Atii Samuel Atii, maintained that the Agency is fully committed to ensuring that the State remains proactive in disaster risk reduction and response.
