NEMA, FCT FEMA Flag Off 2026 National Disaster Preparedness And Response Campaign In FCT
0
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FCT FEMA), has flagged off the 2026 National Disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign (NDPRC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with a stakeholders’ engagement, community sensitisation, and flood risk assessment aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and response.
The campaign, themed “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria,” commenced with a stakeholders’ engagement at the FCT FEMA Secretariat, bringing together representatives of government agencies, emergency response organisations, security agencies, development partners, and other critical stakeholders to enhance coordination and promote proactive disaster risk management across the Territory.
Representing the Director General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, the Head of Operations, NEMA Abuja Operations Office, Pharm. Zakari Abubakar, delivered a presentation on the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and NEMA’s 2026 Climate-Related Disaster Preparedness (CRDP) document.
He highlighted the flood outlook for the FCT and emphasised the need for early warning dissemination, coordinated preparedness, and active community participation to reduce disaster risks.
The FCT Emergency Management Department was represented by Mr Mark Nyam, who reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to sustained collaboration with NEMA and other stakeholders in strengthening disaster preparedness, mitigation, and emergency response across the FCT.
As part of the campaign, officials of NEMA and FCT FEMA conducted public sensitisation in Mabushi Phase II and Damangaza, Lokogoma, where residents received practical guidance on flood preparedness.
They were advised to clear drainage channels, avoid indiscriminate waste disposal, relocate from flood-prone areas when necessary, heed early warning advisories, and promptly report emergencies through the appropriate authorities.
The team also carried out an on-the-spot assessment of flooding along the Mabushi Canal behind Los Angeles Mall, where encroachment on the natural water channel was identified as a major factor contributing to flooding.
Residents and business owners were sensitised on the dangers of building on waterways and obstructing drainage channels and urged to comply with environmental regulations to minimise flood risks.
Other participating stakeholders included the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Department of Development Control, Department of Environmental Planning, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and other relevant organisations.
The campaign forms part of NEMA’s nationwide 2026 National Disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign, which seeks to strengthen disaster risk governance through collaboration, public awareness, early preparedness, and community resilience under the slogan: “Prepare, Take Action, Adapt and Thrive.”
