By David Asu
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the The Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), has convened a strategic stakeholders’ meeting ahead of a three-day flood simulation exercise aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and emergency response in flood-prone communities across Calabar South Local Government Area.
The meeting, which held on Today, July 21, 2026, was hosted by the Director General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, and brought together security agencies, emergency responders, humanitarian organisations, government institutions and development partners to fine-tune operational plans for the simulation exercise.
Welcoming participants, Mr. Nyong expressed appreciation to the Honourable Member representing Calabar South I State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Chief Dr. Effiong Ekarika, officials of NEMA and other stakeholders for honouring the invitation and demonstrating their commitment to disaster risk reduction in Cross River State.
The CR-SEMA Director General described collaboration as the foundation of effective emergency management, noting that no single agency can successfully respond to disasters in isolation.
He said the planned flood simulation would not only test the preparedness of emergency responders but also strengthen inter-agency coordination, improve response time and enhance the capacity of communities to respond appropriately during flood emergencies.
Mr. Nyong urged all participating agencies to approach the exercise with seriousness and professionalism, stressing that the lessons learnt from the simulation would contribute significantly to protecting lives and property during the peak of the 2026 rainy season.
Speaking during the meeting, the Assistant Director of Operations, NEMA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Labaran Ahman, explained that the exercise was initiated following the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Annual Flood Outlook released by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), both of which identified several communities as being vulnerable to flooding.
He said the simulation is designed to evaluate the operational readiness of emergency response agencies, validate existing contingency and response plans, clarify the roles of participating institutions and strengthen coordination before actual emergencies occur.
According to Mr. Ahman, the exercise will begin at the community level with the active participation of local divers, community volunteers, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other emergency responders to ensure a realistic simulation of flood response operations.
He disclosed that participants would also rehearse evacuation procedures, search and rescue operations, incident command coordination, temporary shelter management and the safe relocation of vulnerable persons, including consideration for domestic animals where necessary.
Mr. Ahman further revealed that approximately seventy participants drawn from various emergency management institutions across the country are expected to participate in the exercise, which will comprise two days of intensive training and rehearsals before the final field simulation.
He noted that the exercise would also help identify operational gaps, improve institutional coordination and strengthen Nigeria’s overall emergency preparedness architecture.
Contributing during the interactive session, the representative of the Office of the State Security Adviser, Mr. Kanu Irigha, emphasized the importance of involving his office in future emergency management activities to enhance security coordination before, during and after disaster response operations.
He observed that closer collaboration between emergency agencies and the Office of the State Security Adviser would further safeguard lives and property across Cross River State.
Also playing host to the meeting, the Member representing Calabar South I State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Chief Dr. Effiong Ekarika, described the proposed simulation exercise as timely, strategic and necessary in view of the recurring flood incidents experienced within the state.
Dr. Ekarika commended both NEMA and CR-SEMA for their proactive approach to disaster preparedness, noting that prevention and preparedness remain more effective than emergency response after disasters have occurred.
He assured the agencies of his full support and pledged to mobilize community leaders, youths and other relevant stakeholders within his constituency to ensure the successful conduct of the exercise.
The lawmaker also assured participants that the designated communities remain safe and conducive for the simulation, urging stakeholders to disregard negative perceptions and instead focus on achieving the objectives of the exercise.
The meeting concluded with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration, enhancing disaster preparedness and building more resilient communities capable of responding effectively to flood emergencies across Cross River State.
