Nigeria's National Emergency Agency (NEMA) has advised state and local governments in the country to put in place effective local emergency committees as rainy season sets in.

Speaking on Tuesday at Ilorin during a pre-flood campaign for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), community based organizations (CBOs), the Director General of the agency, Alhaji Muhammed Sidi said NEMA could not be in all the local and state governments at a time to combat emergencies and disasters.

The DG, who was represented by head, Minna Operations Office, Slak L. Bijimi added that "NEMA will have loved that state and local governments do their own part so that everybody will get the impact of what the government is doing. Disasters can best be handled best at community level and all those communities belong to one local government area or the other.

"NEMA cannot be in all the local and state governments at the same time. So I think the states should brace up and make sure the local government emergency committees at the local government areas are put in place and are effective.

"Disasters must be prepared for and that is why we have come to create awareness again on flood; particularly that we have had so many sensitizations yet people are not adhering to them. So early warning alone is not enough it must be backed up with early action. It will go a long way to help us and keep our communities safe and more resilient to all forms of disasters and emergencies.

"Communities are likely to become more vulnerable as they expand as part of development. We must take time to identify and test community-based early warning system as part of the effective measures for preventing and preparing for floods and other disasters.

"Since the 2012 flood with its devastating effects in Nigeria, it has become necessary to bring stakeholders together every year after the seasonal rainfall prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), to discuss and prepare for the New Year rainfall. Early warning must lead to early action through linking warnings with mechanisms for preparedness, response and recovery.

"Though floods are devastating nature-induced disasters which have become common and persistent claiming lots of lives and causing serious damage to property and the environment, identification and adherence to early warnings could, to a great extent, help to reduce the impact of flood disasters in our communities."