President Tinubu orders urgent measures to prevent flood disaster

President Bola Tinubu has directed an immediate plan of action to tackle the looming threat of flooding in some parts of the country.

To produce a road map that integrates the recent NEC report on flood, the 2022 National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, and all other national reports on flood, the President has named Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, as the head of a committee.

The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, will serve as the vice chairman of the committee, which is expected to submit its recommendations within seven days. The committee will also involve the ministers of interior, environment, water resources, and sanitation, as well as the chief executives of relevant agencies such as NEMA, NIWA, NiHSA, NiMet, and NASRDA.

The president gave the directive after an emergency meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday. According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the President said it was better to be proactive than reactive in dealing with the potential flood crisis.

The President said he was alarmed by the submissions of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which indicated that some states were at high risk of flooding due to heavy rainfall and high water levels in rivers and dams. He said he was also concerned by the reports of other stakeholders, such as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), and the National Water Resources Institute.

The President said he wanted a comprehensive and coordinated response from all levels of government and relevant agencies to prevent any loss of lives and property from flooding. He said he had also instructed the Vice President to liaise with the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to provide interventions for states under their coverage.

The President said he expected the committee to come up with a feasible and effective road map that would address the root causes and consequences of flooding in Nigeria. He said he would not tolerate any delay or negligence in the implementation of the road map once it was approved.

The President urged Nigerians to cooperate with the government and adhere to the safety guidelines issued by NEMA and other agencies. He also appealed to state governors, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, community leaders, and civil society organisations to mobilise their people and resources to support the government’s efforts.

The President assured Nigerians that his administration was committed to protecting lives and property from natural disasters and other emergencies. He said he would continue to monitor the situation closely and take necessary actions as required.