Gov Otu Reaffirms Commitment to Disaster Preparedness as NEMA Concludes Flood Simulation in Cross River

Gov Otu Reaffirms Commitment to Disaster Preparedness as NEMA Concludes Flood Simulation in Cross River

By David Asu

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), on Thursday concluded its three-day Full Scale Flood Disaster Response Simulation Exercise in Cross River State with a live demonstration of coordinated flood rescue operations aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness and safeguarding lives ahead of the peak of the 2026 flood season.

The simulation exercise, held at Marina Beach, Calabar, brought together emergency response agencies, security organisations, humanitarian partners, Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), development partners and community volunteers in a practical demonstration of search and rescue, evacuation, first aid and relief distribution during flood emergencies.

The exercise formed the climax of the three-day programme designed to evaluate operational readiness, strengthen inter-agency collaboration and improve community-based disaster response following the Nigerian Meteorological Agency's prediction that Cross River remains among states vulnerable to flooding this year.

Declaring the exercise open on behalf of the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the Director of Internal Audit, NEMA Headquarters, Mr. Aliyu Waziri, expressed sympathy to families affected by recent flood disasters in Cross River State and assured them of the Agency's continued support.

Mr. Waziri commended the Cross River State Government, CR-SEMA and all participating stakeholders for their commitment to disaster preparedness, noting that the simulation exercise was organised to prepare emergency responders and communities for real-life flood situations before disasters occur.

He explained that Cross River was selected for the exercise following flood forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), stressing that preparedness remains the most effective strategy for reducing disaster losses.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu described the simulation exercise as timely and impressive, noting that it clearly demonstrated the growing capacity of both the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA) to effectively coordinate emergency response operations.

The Governor commended the Director General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, for his proactive leadership since assuming office, stating that within a short period he has demonstrated competence, commitment and the capacity required to drive emergency management in the state.

Governor Otu reaffirmed his administration's commitment to strengthening collaboration with NEMA and other humanitarian partners to build a more resilient Cross River State.

He further disclosed that the State Government, through CR-SEMA, is making arrangements to establish additional temporary shelters across vulnerable communities to accommodate displaced persons whenever the need arises, assuring residents that his administration will continue to prioritize the protection of lives and property.

The highlight of the exercise was a live simulation depicting a flood emergency in which victims trapped by rising floodwaters were rescued by trained community divers operating under the Local Emergency Management Committees.

The rescue operation demonstrated how disasters are first responded to at the community level before the arrival of state and national emergency agencies.

Professional divers successfully rescued simulated victims from the water using standard rescue procedures and life-saving equipment before handing them over to emergency medical responders.

Personnel of the Nigerian Red Cross Society immediately administered first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), while emergency responders from NEMA, the Nigerian Navy and the Federal Road Safety Corps evacuated the victims on stretchers into waiting ambulances for further medical attention.

The simulation also demonstrated community evacuation procedures as residents were safely relocated from high-risk flood zones to designated temporary shelters, where relief materials and food items were distributed by NEMA to support displaced families pending the restoration of normalcy.

Speaking during the exercise, the Director General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, expressed delight at hosting an exercise of such magnitude barely one month after assuming office.

He said although the recent increase in disaster incidents across the state has presented enormous challenges, it has equally strengthened the Agency's resolve to improve preparedness and disaster risk reduction.

Mr. Nyong disclosed that CR-SEMA would soon commence a statewide flood sensitisation campaign using billboards, radio jingles, social media platforms and traditional town criers to ensure that flood safety messages reach communities in every part of the state.

He emphasized that disaster management cannot succeed without collaboration, describing the exercise as a practical demonstration of the synergy required among emergency agencies to protect lives and property.

Also speaking, the Director of Search and Rescue, NEMA Headquarters, Air Commodore B. A. Usman, described the simulation as a significant step towards strengthening national disaster preparedness and improving operational coordination among emergency responders.

On his part, the Deputy Director, Search and Rescue, NEMA Headquarters, Brigadier General J. O. Ogbobe, emphasized the strategic importance of Local Emergency Management Committees, describing them as the first line of disaster response within communities.

He urged stakeholders to continue strengthening LEMCs through training and collaboration, noting that timely community response often determines the success of rescue operations before additional support arrives.

Also speaking, the Member representing Calabar South I State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Chief Dr. Effiong Ekarika, commended NEMA for choosing Cross River to host the simulation exercise and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting disaster management initiatives within his constituency.

Speaking on behalf of Local Emergency Management Committees across the state, the Vice Chairman of Biase Local Government Area, Hon. Ekuma Ngwu, appreciated NEMA and CR-SEMA for recognising the critical role of local governments in disaster management.

He assured the agencies that LEMCs across Cross River State remain committed to taking disaster preparedness campaigns to the grassroots and strengthening collaboration with emergency management agencies.

The exercise attracted participants from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal Fire Service, Cross River State Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services, Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Information, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Divers Associations, Local Emergency Management Committees, development partners including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank, as well as other humanitarian organisations.

The successful conclusion of the exercise reaffirmed the commitment of NEMA, CR-SEMA and their partners to building resilient communities through preparedness, collaboration and timely emergency response, while reinforcing public confidence in the capacity of emergency management agencies to effectively respond to flood disasters across Cross River State.