Nigeria government raises alarm of more flood cases in 2021

 Hikmat Bamigboye

The 2021 Annual Flood Outlook from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has projected that there will be more Flooding cases in all the thirty states of the federation including the FCT in 2021 compire to the previous year with the exception of 2012.

The minister of Water Resources, Engineer Sulieman Adamu  disclosed this in Abuja, at the unveiling of the 2021 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by NIHSA.

Engineer Adamu noted that though it will not attain the levels of the 2012 devastative flood.

The minister stressed that though  government will continue to put in place proper mechanism to prepare Nigerians to confront the menace of flooding in the Country.

He hinted that 2021 Annual Flood Out look forecast indicated that three hundred and two local government in thirty-six States including FCT will fall within the moderate probable risk area.

The States include Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Adamawa, Tarawa, Benue, Nassarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Delta  and Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos and Ondo.

According to him,  ” Flash and urban floods from heaven inundation are predicted  to occur in some major cities severity of which of will depend on the  fall and adequacy of the drainage system and adherence to urban planning regulations”.

According to him, the document was a clarion call to all stakeholders to rise and set up appropriate mechanisms to guard against floods in the country.

He added that  clearing of waterways, flood paths as well as maintaining proper water disposal management practices must be encouraged to curtail the ravages of flood and spread of the COVID-19.

Also making her contribution the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources,  Mrs Didi Walson Jack stated that the objective of the event is to sensitize the nation policy makers, farmer and general public towards embarking on preventive measure to improve on safety and reduce potential damages to live and property from predicted flood events by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

Earlier the Director-General, NEMA, Retired Air Vice Marshal, Muhammadu

Muhammed who commended the timely release of the 2021 Annual flood outlook, said it will provide another opportunity for NEMA and other agency to collaborate in the area of information and data gathering.

The theme of the 2021 Annual Flood Outlook is “Managing Flood for Sustainable Development in Covid-19 Era “built on the success of the previous eight years forecasts by the  Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency.