By Doris Esa
The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) has called for stronger community-based action and collaboration among government agencies to mitigate the recurring cases of flooding across Nigeria.
Mr Attah Benson, National Coordinator of NEWSAN, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
He was reacting to the increasing incidents of flood disasters recorded in several parts of the country.
Benson said the rising frequency and intensity of floods underscored the need for sustainable management strategies anchored on community participation, early warning systems, and improved drainage infrastructure.
According to data from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), more than 158,000 people were affected by flooding across 29 states between June and September 2025.
The agency reported that over 20,000 households were displaced, while thousands of hectares of farmlands were destroyed.
The most affected states include Kogi, Anambra, Benue, Adamawa, and Bayelsa.
Benson expressed concern that despite repeated warnings from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) about the 2025 flood outlook, preventive measures at the community level remained inadequate.
“Flooding is not just a natural disaster; it is a development challenge that affects livelihoods, food security, and public health.
“Communities must be empowered with the knowledge, tools, and partnerships to take preventive action before the rains come,” he said.
He noted that most flood-related losses could be avoided if communities worked closely with local governments to desilt drainage channels, map flood-prone areas, and enforce environmental sanitation regulations.
Benson urged relevant agencies, including NEMA, NIHSA, and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, to strengthen coordination with grassroots networks such as community development associations and women-led groups.
“Effective flood management begins at the grassroots.
“If we invest in local preparedness and community awareness, we can drastically reduce the human and economic costs of flooding,” he said.
He also called for the integration of flood management into the implementation of the National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Policy.
According to him, poor waste disposal practices and blocked drainage systems continue to worsen flood risks in many urban and rural communities.
Benson appealed to development partners to support local adaptation initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, wetland restoration, and climate-smart agriculture to build community resilience against future floods.
According to NEMA, Nigeria recorded economic losses exceeding N700billion from flood disasters in 2022 and 2023 combined.
Edited by Tosin Kolade
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