President Buhari asks Water Resources Minister to produce flood-prevention plan

The President asks the minister to produce the plan within 90 days.

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu to develop a ‘Comprehensive Plan of Action for Preventing Flood Disaster’ in the country.

The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Adamu Garba made this known on Monday, October 24, 2022, via his official Twitter handle.

This is coming weeks after flooding has destroyed homes and farmlands in many states and communities across the country.

The flooding which affected many communities in Kogi, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, and many other states in the North has reportedly claimed over 600 lives.

Flood renders hundreds of people homeless in Kogi State. (Punch)

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), about 2,504, 095 persons were affected by the flooding caused by heavy rainfall in the last two months.

However, in a bid to address the situation, the president asked the Minister of Water resources to present the action plan for flood-prevention to him in 90 days.

Garba said Buhari regularly receives updates on the flooding situation in the country.

He tweeted: 

"President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Minister of Water Resources to lead and coordinate with the Ministries of Environment and Transportation as well as State Governments to develop a Comprehensive Plan of Action for Preventing Flood Disaster in Nigeria."

 “The President’s directive, which was conveyed to the Minister in a letter signed by his Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, said the Plan should be presented to him in 90 days.

“President Buhari is regularly receiving updates on the flooding situation in the country and restates his commitment towards addressing the challenges caused by the disaster in the country”.

Two weeks ago, Pulse explained how a dam in Cameroon contributes to the devastating floods in Nigeria every year.

But the Federal Government in a statement after the explainer piece said the water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon is not responsible for the flooding that has devastated parts of Nigeria.

"You always accorded us due regard. You accommodated us, and listened to our pleas. You were always there for us when we had challenges, either individually, or collectively. We owe you a debt of gratitude," the outgoing NGF Chairman said.

Gov Tambuwal said the flooding creates a frightening scenario for food security, “and we need to plan ahead for dry season farming,” while Gov Bagudu counseled that it was not the time to squeeze credit for the agricultural sector because of the peculiar challenges.

The FG said the inflow from the dam to Nigeria is only one per cent.