Video: NEMA conducts rapid flood assessment in Edo, urges urgent relief
Abdullateef Fowewe
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Benin Operations Office, has carried out a swift assessment of the recent flood disaster in Owan community, located in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Video link: https://x.com/DailyEconews/status/1944417970815402023?t=dcCFY4P-HzzZxEPeZ7miSg&s=19
This action followed a distress call from the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) concerning the flooding incident.
The joint assessment team, comprising officials from NEMA, Edo SEMA, the Local Government Council, and community leaders, visited the affected areas to evaluate the extent of damage caused by the flood.
The flooding was triggered by several days of continuous heavy rainfall, which caused the Ovia River to overflow its banks, submerging homes and displacing residents. Many affected individuals were observed salvaging belongings and relocating to friends’ and relatives’ homes for temporary shelter.
Community leaders, speaking on behalf of residents, appealed to the Edo State Government for the provision of land for permanent resettlement, highlighting the recurring nature of flooding in the area.
They also urged both Federal and State Governments to provide relief assistance to alleviate the disaster’s impact.
NEMA stated on X, “NEMA CONDUCTS ASSESSMENT OF FLOOD DISASTER IN OWAN COMMUNITY, OVIA NORTH-EAST LGA, EDO STATE,” and confirmed that the agency, alongside Edo SEMA, will continue to closely monitor the situation.
This assessment aligns with ongoing efforts by NEMA to manage flood risks across Edo State, as part of its 2025 flood preparedness and response campaign. The agency has emphasised the devastating impacts of annual floods in Nigeria, which result in loss of lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure, costing billions of naira in damages.
NEMA’s Director-General, Zubaida Umar, highlighted the importance of early warning systems and disaster mitigation strategies, including community capacity building and adherence to rainfall predictions, to reduce flood impacts.
The flooding in Owan community adds to a series of recent natural disasters in Edo State, including a rainstorm in March 2025 that displaced hundreds of households and damaged over 100 homes in nearby communities.
The House of Representatives has also urged the Federal Government to provide immediate relief materials to flood victims in Edo State, recognising the urgent need for emergency assistance and infrastructure rebuilding.
