2026 Floods: Delta, FG Partner to Strengthen Local Emergency Response Capacity

By Stella Agbeyeke 

The Delta State Government and the Federal Government, through their respective emergency management agencies, have taken a decisive step to strengthen local preparedness for disasters, particularly ahead of the imminent 2026 flood season, as stakeholders gathered in Asaba on Wednesday for a one-day capacity-building engagement themed “Building Local Capacity for Effective Emergency Response.”

The engagement, organized by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Benin Operations Office, brought together representatives of federal and state government agencies, security services, and local government authorities, alongside other major stakeholders.

Declaring the workshop open, the Honourable Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Hon. Ejiro Etacherure, underscored the growing frequency of emergencies in the state and nation, noting that flooding, fire outbreaks, building collapse, communal conflicts, and road accidents continue to pose grave threats to lives and property.

Etacherure, who was represented by the Bureau Permanent Secretary, Prince Gregory Ejowhomu, harped on the need for synergy at all levels to effectively prepare for emergency response.

“Effective emergency response cannot be achieved through isolated efforts. It requires strong institutional capacity, inter-agency collaboration, stakeholder participation, community involvement, timely information sharing, and continuous training and preparedness.” 

He assured stakeholders of the state government's commitment to proactive policies and support for agencies charged with disaster management responsibilities.

The Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, described the workshop as highly important and said it could not have come at a better time, with flooding already imminent. 

The DG, who was represented by the Head of NEMA Benin Operations Office, Mr. Kenoma Ojuedere, noted that the workshop forms part of the national disaster management framework, which emphasizes a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive disaster management, aimed at reducing the loss of human lives and property in the event of any disaster.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director of SEMA, Mr. Alfred Ebreneyin, stressed that no single agency could successfully manage disasters alone while calling for deeper synergy among government agencies, security organizations, non-governmental organizations, community volunteers, and development partners to build a more resilient society capable of responding swiftly to emergencies.

The immediate past Director of SEMA, Mr. Karo Ovemeso, presented a paper on the role of Local Emergency Management Authorities in the face of disasters, while the Assistant Chief Relief Officer of NEMA, Mr. Joseph Akpofabe, delivered a talk on Community-Based Preparedness.

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants adopted a communiqué resolving, among other things, that disaster preparedness should be strengthened at the grassroots level through continuous community engagement and public sensitization; that local emergency response structures and volunteer groups be established across communities; that early warning systems and risk communication channels be improved to ensure timely information reaches vulnerable communities; and that regular capacity-building programmes, simulation exercises, and emergency drills be organized for relevant stakeholders.

They further resolved that local governments, traditional institutions, youth groups, women's organizations, and persons with disabilities should be actively integrated into emergency preparedness and response planning, and that the media should sustain public awareness campaigns on disaster prevention, preparedness, and response.

The communiqué was signed by Major A.T. Ibrahim, Sir Orhe Ehikhioya Felix, and Mrs. Nwabuzor Florence on behalf of the participants.

The participants commended SEMA and NEMA for organizing the engagement and called for periodic stakeholder consultations to sustain momentum and strengthen emergency management coordination across the region.