Following the alert issued about flooding in Imo State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has trained officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on how to respond to emergencies caused by floods.

NEMA Operation head for Imo and Abia states, Nnamdi Igwe, disclosed the training in Owerri last week.
He said the workshop was to equip officers with the right skills to respond effectively to emergencies, minimise risks to officers, civilians, and infrastructure, and foster collaboration with disaster management agencies. He noted that the NSCDC plays a key role in maintaining national security and handling emergencies.

He said the training was to harness the NSCDC’s manpower, which he noted is present everywhere and has access to people even in remote places.

He said, “The (NSCDC) plays a vital role in maintaining national security and responding to emergencies. We are building their capacity to effectively respond to disasters and emergencies , requiring adequate emergency preparedness and disaster response training.

Some of the topics were DRR and the roles of first responders in emergency response, emergency response and rescue, emergency planning, search and rescue, hazard identification and risk reduction, crisis management, and collaboration.

According to Igwe, the comprehensive training of the NSCDC officers will enhance their response capabilities, thereby protecting infrastructure and saving lives timely.
He appealed to Imo people and residents to evacuate flood-prone areas immediately to safeguard their lives and those of others and quickly notify the authorities, especially in the hinterlands.

Igwe said, “We appeal to Imo people, including residents, to take the flood threat very seriously. If your area is flood-prone, could you get ready to move immediately?

“We don’t have NEMA staff everywhere, and that is why we would like to ask you to let us know of any flood threat. It could be your farmland or your village around the river. Please kindly notify the authorities immediately. That way, you will help to avoid casualties,” the NEMA boss said.

The State Commandant, Basil Igwebueze, represented by Goodman Nwokeafor, thanked NEMA for the training and expressed the NSCDC’s readiness to support NEMA during emergencies.