COMMUNIQUÉ

COMMUNIQUÉ
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), in collaboration with the Edo State Ministry of Environment organized a 2-Day Regional Workshop on Natural Disaster Management Strategies in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, Participants commended ANEEJ, Edo State Ministry of Environment and the Royal Norwegian Embassy for putting together such an important event.
Participants Management from 9th – 10th July, 2014, at Vichi Gates Hotel and Suite, Benin City. The event was held in pursuance of the Strengthening oil revenue management in Niger Delta Project Phase 2, which ANEEJ is currently implementing with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy and was attended by Over 60 participants drawn from States Ministry of Environment, State Emergency Management Agencies, Local Government Councils, Media and 2012 flood victims, all from Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Ondo States.
The event was used to present the baseline study on Natural Disaster Management Strategies in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, conducted by ANEEJ, to key stakeholders in the region.
commended the various State governments in the region for their roles in the management of the 2012 flood incidence but noted that there was poor management of camps and materials in some cases.
Participants observed that the 2012 flood incidence was the first of its kind and it took stakeholders unaware which has necessitated the need to adequately prepare for future occurrence.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Participants at the workshop, resolved as follows for different stakeholders:
To State Governments in Niger Delta:
• Take the necessary steps to enact Laws to back State Emergency Management Agencies and make appropriate budgets to manage disasters in the states and focus more attention of prevention of disaster in the Niger Delta.
• Appeal to Local Government Councils in the Region to put in place emergency management units backed by edict that people can easily reach/contact in case of future incidents of flooding and other natural disaster.
• Urge SEMA and State Flood Committees to make public the report of the 2012 flood intervention so that stakeholders can make their input to adequately prepare the region for future occurrence
• That States and Local Government council should educate affected communities members on how to engage in public advocacy to draw government attention to flood situation and other natural disasters that may occur in the future.
Civil Society Organisations:
• Commit to establish the Niger Delta Disaster Management Network to coordinate its operations and interface with government agencies and other bodies handling disaster management.
• ANEEJ should take the lead to develop a three-year action plan on how to promote public awareness and public policies on disaster management in the Niger Delta.
• Training of flood victims and media on how to engage in public advocacy to draw governments’ attention to flood and other disasters in the states.
• Strengthen government-communities engagement through the Niger Delta Flood Victims Network.