Rising Waters, Rising Resilience: NASEMA's Proactive Battle Against Flooding in Nasarawa State

In this insightful interview, Ben Akwash, Director General of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), shares his vision for managing emergencies in the state. With his wealth of experience in law and politics, Akwash discusses NASEMA's role in mitigating disasters, particularly flooding, and his efforts to sensitize communities to relocate to safer grounds. He also highlights the agency's collaboration with other stakeholders to ensure effective disaster management and response.

This interview provides a unique opportunity to gain insight into the  successes and challenges of NASEMA under Akwash's leadership, and offers a glimpse into the agency's future plans and strategies for managing emergencies in Nasarawa State.

Question: The public would want to know, in brief, who is the Director General of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency.  

DG: I am Barrister Ben Akwash, a retired civil servant who worked with the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja before being posted to the Federal Ministry of Works. I am a lawyer by training, and upon being called to the Bar, I began my legal practice at the late Ayas Bako Aya Law Firm before moving to the late Chris Abashi Law & Co. Afterward, I joined politics and served as the Legal Adviser to the late Chris Abashi from 1999 to 2002.  

Following my retirement, I returned to my old vocation politics and pitched my tent with the APC. I sought to go to the House of Assembly, but that did not materialize. Though I did not contest, I supported the present government, which culminated in my appointment in April 2025 as the Director General of NASEMA.  

This is just a brief summary of my profile. More comprehensive details can be made available if needed.  

Question: Having been appointed to head an agency that oversees disaster management, what ideas do you intend to bring to the agency?  

DG: Thank you very much. Let me start by appreciating His Excellency, Governor Engr. Sule, for finding me worthy of this appointment. I will stop at nothing to discharge the agency’s mandate effectively to justify my appointment. I am here primarily to add value and continue the good works that His Excellency is known for. He couldn’t have chosen a better mantra than "Exceeding Expectations."  

The governor’s good works are not in short supply. The first time I experienced riding on the overhead and underpass in Lafia, I recalled my visit to Dubai it was wonderful.  

On emergency issues, the governor has been 100% supportive. He responds quickly to our requests; he is indeed up and doing. The ball is now in my court to move the agency forward. Since my arrival, I have "changed the engine oil and charged the battery" so that the agency will be fit and ready to work.  

I intend to discharge our mandate in such a way that when a compendium of Engr. Sule’s good works is compiled, NASEMA will be at the top as an agency that added value to good governance.  

As you know, the primary responsibility of government is the maintenance of law and order, provision of security, and welfare of the people. Therefore, it behooves me to discharge our responsibilities diligently, transparently, and responsibly. I am the governor’s representative, and he cannot be everywhere.  

Question: In clear terms, what is the role of the agency?  

DG: The agency is christened the Emergency Management Agency, and the management of emergencies we undertake is holistic. Our tasks include disaster management and you know disasters come in many forms: floods, fire outbreaks, and any disaster affecting the populace.  

The first thing we have done in preparation for the rainy season is launch a comprehensive campaign to encourage people living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer grounds. We received a flood alert from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency indicating that 200 local government areas would be affected by flooding, four of which are in Nasarawa State: Doma, Nasarawa, Awe, and Toto.  

In Awe, several villages were identified as high-risk areas. We visited Tunga and engaged village chiefs, youths, women, and other stakeholders to educate them on the dangers of living by riverbanks. We advised them to move to higher ground to avert impending calamity.  Information is power. Once you know about an impending disaster, you must act don’t wait.  

From Tunga, we moved to Doma, selecting one village in each local government. From Doma, we proceeded to Nasarawa Local Government for the same exercise, concluding in Umaisha. In each village, we discovered that people have lived along riverbanks for generations and know no other place, making relocation difficult. However, we must remember that life comes first unless we are alive, we cannot carry out any activities.  

We are also sensitizing people against building on waterways. If you do, you must be prepared for any calamity that follows.  

Additionally, we will hold comprehensive engagements with the Ministry of Works and Agriculture to deliberate on flood prevention measures. We are also collaborating with the Ministry of Environment to educate people on proper waste disposal.  

Question:  How have people been responding to your recent campaign urging riverine communities to relocate to higher ground?  

DG: As I mentioned, most of these people are indigenous, and due to ancestral heritage, traditional, and cultural reasons, relocation is very difficult. Many argue that their forefathers lived, died, and were buried there, making it hard to convince them to leave. It requires constant, sustained, and relentless effort to persuade them.  

What we are trying to do, in collaboration with the Commissioner for Environment, is provide temporary tents. Even if people cannot vacate completely, they can temporarily relocate during the rainy season and return afterward.  

Question: Does NASEMA have the legal power to forcefully relocate people from flood-prone areas?  

DG: NASEMA does not have such power. The Constitution, under Chapter 4, guarantees every citizen the freedom to live and build in a place of their choice. However, the primary responsibility of government is to maintain law and order.  

That said, we are considering the desirability of sponsoring a bill that criminalizes living in areas that pose a danger not only to individuals but to society at large. The government has a duty to prevent wrongful acts. The only thing the government cannot stop is suicide—but even an attempted suicide is punishable by law.  

Question: There are IDP camps in the state. How does NASEMA ensure relief materials reach genuine IDPs?  

DG: In every camp, there are camp leaders and women representatives we liaise with. We don’t just dump items; we work with local authorities. For instance, when we visited Ugya in Toto, we collaborated with the councilor, village head, and deputy chairmen who serve as designated local emergency representatives to ensure materials reach the affected persons.  

We cannot thank the governor enough. As I keep saying, he has been very supportive. He leads a responsive and compassionate government.  

Question: Flooding is often associated with heavy rains, but some floods in Nigeria are caused by dam water releases in Cameroon. Is anything being done to avert floods caused by water releases from the Lagdo Dam?  

DG: Nigeria cannot stop Cameroon from releasing water from their dam. However, I know the federal government is taking proactive steps to notify people whenever water is released.  

The reason we still experience flooding is that people often ignore warnings. The first alert we received was six weeks ago. When we receive such alerts, we disseminate the information to the public. The expectation is that people will act on the information before Cameroon releases water. They provide advance notice, and we, in turn, pass it down to the people.

Question: How would you describe your relationship with NEMA at the federal level and other sister agencies?  

DG:In fact, NEMA has been very supportive. I’ve been here for three months, and we’ve already held three programs with them. They’ve provided support in terms of relief materials. About two years ago, they sent speed boats in preparation for evacuating people during flooding. We’re also improving by purchasing necessary items to assist those affected by floods.  

The National Commission for Refugees, other NGOs, the CBN, and even private individuals have all been cooperative. We have nothing but gratitude for their support.  

Question:What is your message to the people of Nasarawa State, especially those in flood-prone areas?  

DG: First and foremost, you can’t stop a disaster. Disaster management deals with natural occurrences that happen without warning you can’t prevent them. However, man-made disasters, like people parking trailers indiscriminately or drivers unfamiliar with the road crashing into them, can be avoided. These are things we do, whether consciously or unconsciously, and we must stop them.  

Another issue is people throwing refuse indiscriminately, which blocks waterways and can cause flooding.  

In short, people should avoid actions that could lead to man-made disasters.

The interview with DG Ben Akwash paints a picture of a NASEMA in transition—from a reactive body to a proactive, strategically engaged agency. Under his leadership, the focus is clear: robust community sensitization, inter-agency collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to public welfare, all underpinned by the strong support of the state government.

However, the path forward is fraught with challenges, primarily the deeply sensitive task of convincing communities to leave their ancestral homes. Akwash’s legal background informs a pragmatic approach, hinting at future legislative action to empower the state further.

Ultimately, the success of NASEMA's strategy hinges on a critical partnership—the partnership with the public. As the rains approach, the agency stands prepared, but its most powerful tool remains the willingness of the people to listen, act, and work together to build a more disaster-resilient Nasarawa. The message is clear: vigilance and cooperation are the best defenses against the rising waters.