Flood: FG says effort to address crisis ongoing

Over 2 million persons in Nigeria have been affected by widespread flooding caused by extreme rainfall and the release of water from Lagdo dam, Cameroon.

The flood has displaced over 1.3 million individuals, injured over two thousand and killed more than 600 persons.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq on Sunday, in Abuja.

Briefing journalists, the Minister said despite warnings by experts on possible flooding this year, States and local governments, including communities fail to heed or take precautionary measures to avert the consequences.

To restore hope to victims, Farouq said, drastic efforts are ongoing by the Ministry and relevant agencies to manage and mitigate the situation.

She said “In response to the 2022 flood situation, I directed the Permanent Secretary to convene an emergency technical stakeholder meeting of all responsive Agencies to strategies immediate response to the situation. That meeting held on the 11th October 2022 and they all have formulated plans and strategies for response.

“The meeting agreed to form a high powered delegation to State Governors to advocate for more commitment to strengthen state response mechanisms as stipulated in the National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.

“Stakeholder will work within their respective mandates to prevent deaths due to flood or other health related diseases that are aftermath.

“We must initiate a bilateral discussion with authorities in Cameroon next month (November 2022) on the periodic opening the Lagdo dam. The delegation to Cameroon is to be led by the PS and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be requested to facilitate it.

“For a coordinated flood response protocol, the meeting agreed to implement the National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan; Accordingly, the sectoral approach to flood management at the National and Sub-National levels must be absolutely implemented;

“It was further emphasized that there was the need for State Governments to invest in flood management and lead on community base flood early warning systems; hence the meeting called on State Governments to take greater responsibilities for flood preparedness and response;

“It was agreed that it has become necessary to compel all State Governments to strengthen their SEMAs and LEMCs through a legal instrument so that they can have improved access to fund and personnel for effective disaster preparedness and response”.

Farouq further urged governors and community leaders of states like, Anambra, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross-River and Delta, already penciled down to be at risks of experiencing flood till November to ensure they evacuate their people to safer places.

“While we mourn the unfortunate boat mishap in Anambra State and other locations, please we must note that we are not completely out of the wood. Because the Metrological Agencies are warning that States like Anambra, Delta, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa are still at the risk of experiencing floods up till end of November.

“So, we are calling on the respective State Governments, LGAs and Communities to prepare by evacuating people living on flood plains to high grounds, providing tents and relief materials, fresh water as well as medical supply for possible outbreak of water borne disease,” she added.