Nigeria: NEMA backs ECOWAS entry into disaster-resilient infrastructure coalition

Nigeria event launches ECOWAS membership in CDRI

ECOWAS has formally launched its membership in the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) at an event in Abuja.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, used the launch to reaffirm the agency’s commitment to promoting infrastructure resilience as part of disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation and sustainable development.

Umar described the development as a strategic milestone aimed at strengthening regional and global collaboration on infrastructure systems designed to withstand disaster and climate risks.

She linked the focus on resilience to hazards affecting West Africa, including floods, droughts, coastal erosion and extreme weather events.

Umar said these hazards are increasing in frequency and intensity and create a need for proactive investment in resilient infrastructure, stronger technical cooperation and risk-informed planning.

Stakeholders set out aims for coalition membership

The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Abhishek Singh, said the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) was established to promote international cooperation focused on strengthening infrastructure systems to withstand disaster risks and safeguard lives, livelihoods and economic investments.

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, said ECOWAS membership in the coalition is intended to strengthen collective capacity to anticipate, withstand and recover from disasters, while supporting sustainable development.

The source described CDRI as a global partnership of governments, international organisations and stakeholders focused on advancing resilient infrastructure as part of disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation and sustainable development.

The launch in Abuja set out how the three organisations described the purpose of ECOWAS joining CDRI.