Key points
- NIWA and NEMA have agreed to deepen collaboration to improve flood preparedness and emergency response during the rainy season.
- NIWA plans to expand its Emergency River Marshals initiative by training volunteers in riverine communities.
- Both agencies say closer cooperation will enhance waterway safety and reduce water-related disasters.
- The partnership will focus on safety training, capacity building and public awareness campaigns.
Main story
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have strengthened their partnership to improve flood preparedness and enhance safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways ahead of the peak of the rainy season.
The renewed collaboration was agreed during a courtesy visit by officials of NIWA’s Kaduna Area Office to the NEMA Kaduna Operations Office on Tuesday.
Speaking during the visit, the Kaduna Area Manager of NIWA, Muhammad Bala, said closer cooperation had become necessary as the rainy season increased the risk of flooding and other water-related emergencies.
He said sustained collaboration between both agencies would improve emergency preparedness, disaster response and safety across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Bala announced that NIWA would expand its Emergency River Marshals initiative by training volunteers in riverine communities to respond to emergencies and promote safer water transportation.
He added that the authority was committed to working with NEMA through joint safety training, capacity-building programmes and public sensitisation campaigns aimed at reducing water-related disasters.
Responding, the Head of NEMA’s Kaduna Operations Office, Halima Suleiman, described the engagement as timely, given the heightened flood risks associated with the rainy season.
She said stronger institutional collaboration would improve disaster preparedness and emergency response efforts, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Suleiman also assured the NIWA delegation that NEMA would implement the resolutions reached during the meeting and sustain the partnership to protect lives and property.
The issues
Flooding and boat accidents remain recurring challenges across Nigeria during the rainy season, particularly in riverine communities. Improved coordination between emergency management agencies and waterway regulators is considered critical to strengthening early warning systems, emergency response and public safety.
What’s being said
“We are ready to work with NEMA through safety training, capacity-building programmes and public sensitisation to reduce water-related disasters.” — Muhammad Bala, Kaduna Area Manager, NIWA
“Stronger collaboration will enhance disaster preparedness and response, particularly during the ongoing rainy season.” — Halima Suleiman, Head, NEMA Kaduna Operations Office
What’s next
NIWA will expand its Emergency River Marshals programme while both agencies implement joint training, public awareness campaigns and emergency preparedness initiatives to reduce flood-related risks during the rainy season.
Bottom line
NIWA and NEMA are strengthening cooperation ahead of the peak rainy season, with both agencies seeking to improve flood preparedness, emergency response and safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
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