… Expect more floods – Minister
The Federal Government has approved the release of N1.6 billion to flood victims in 16 states of the federation.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.
According to him, the fund will be taken from Ecological funds in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
He said the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has been directed to release the N1.6 billion to National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for the 16 affected states.
He said: “The Acting President has approved the sum of N1.6 billion as immediate intervention for victims of flood in 16 states.
“The states are Ekiti, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, Oyo, Lagos, Plateau, Sokoto, Edo and Bayelsa.
“So, 16 states ravaged by flood and the sum of N1.6billion had been approved for immediate release as relief for people in those states and communities involved.
“The money is going to be taken from the Federal Government Ecological Fund Account at the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Minister of Finance is to release the fund directly to NEMA, which is, National Emergency Management Agency,’’ he said
Meanwhile, federal government has warned Nigerians to expect more flooding following the delay in rainfall which had caused long duration of torrential downpour in major urban cities.
The government also said the monsoon wind which is a strong prevailing wind bringing rain from West Africa coast around June 22 to September and October would bring a lot of rains to the land along with sea rise that could lead to increase in the amount of water in low lying coastal areas of Lagos and other states.
Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, said this in Abuja while briefing journalists on flood situation in the country.
Adamu said the flood would spread to 30 states and over 100 local government areas in the country.
He added that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) would continue to monitor the flow of surface water and issue alerts when necessary.
He said: “Summary of the alert is that approximately 30 states and over 100 LGAs are categorized as high flood risk areas and therefore should expect flooding.
“The rains did not start early this year, thereby possibly causing long duration torrential downpour and causing unexpected urban/flash floods in areas with non-existing or inadequate drainage system in the country.
“The flow of surface water are being monitored by NIHSA while alerts will be issued. Also, sensitization of the entire nation by visiting the grassroots will soon be embarked upon.”
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