BY: MUHAMMAD SALISU, DUTSE
Flood-prone communities in Jigawa state are rolling out community-driven plans to protect lives and property ahead of the 2026 rainy season, following warnings that 15 local government areas remain at high risk.
The move comes after the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, listed the 15 councils as flood-prone this year.
In response, residents in Hadejia, Auyo, and Miga LGAs have developed a Community Emergency Response Plan, CERP, to reduce the impact of seasonal floods.
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The plans were launched by the Nigerian Red Cross Society and UNICEF, with support from the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid. They were formally presented to community leaders during a stakeholders’ meeting in Auyo Local Government Area.
Organisers said the response plans outline clear steps to be taken before, during, and after flooding. These include preparedness strategies, emergency procedures, early recovery actions, and demobilisation processes designed to guide communities in the critical hours of a disaster.
Officials explained that the documents are meant to equip locals with practical tools and protocols to mitigate risks, protect assets, and save lives.
“These plans are designed to empower local populations with the tools and protocols needed to mitigate risks, protect assets and save lives during the critical early hours of a disaster,” stakeholders said at the meeting.
Jigawa remains highly exposed to seasonal flooding that destroys farmlands, displaces families, and disrupts economic activities each year. The new initiative aims to break that cycle through early action and coordination at the grassroots level.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, represented by Director of Planning Muhammad Bala Sanusi, said the initiative would significantly reduce flood damage across the state.
“This initiative would go a long way in reducing the impact of flooding across the state,” Sanusi said.
He noted that the state had made notable progress in flood mitigation compared to previous years due to deliberate government efforts.
According to him, part of the commitment includes setting up Local Emergency Management Committees in all 27 LGAs and Ward Emergency Management Committees to ensure swift response during emergencies.
Sanusi also disclosed that the state government had earmarked over ₦300 million for the procurement of emergency relief items.
He urged residents to support government efforts by avoiding the dumping of refuse in drainage channels and culverts, warning that such actions worsen flooding.