Nigeria’s delegation to meet with Cameroun over impending flood
Rahila Lassa, Abuja
The Nigerian Government has set up a high profile delegation to meet with the Government of Cameroun over flooding partially caused by the opening of the Lagdo dam in Cameroun.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq announced the plan in Abuja, while briefing journalists on the recent flooding in the country.
The Minister said that the meeting became imperative owing to the already devastating effect of the flooding in Nigeria.
” The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr Nasir Sani Gwarzo mni. NPOM, is to lead a delegation to Cameroon next month, to discuss the periodic opening of the Lagdo dam with the authorities”.
Umar Farouq said ahead of the rainy season, early warnings were sent to all States Governments to help them prepare against the rainfall which was already predicted to be heavy.
“You all will recall that on Tuesday, 15th February 2022, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency released the 2022 Seasonal Climate Prediction informing us that the rains of 2022 will be heavier and longer. Furthermore, on Thursday, 12th May 2022, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency released the Annual Flood Outlook. Immediately after these two releases, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA was all out, armed with the scientific releases from the two Agencies, in the media and went to all States and FCT, warning of expected floods and advising on mitigating and preparedness actions they need to take to minimize losses and damages. I also briefed the National Economic Council on 22nd September, 2022, were I outlined preparedness strategies that all State Governments should take to mitigate the 2022 floods”.
The Minister, however, lamented that despite all the warnings, it appeared no measure was put in place by the States Governments to address the impending flooding hence the rise in toll of lives and property lost.
“Unfortunately, over 603 lives have been lost as of today October 16, 2022. A total of 1,302,589 persons have been displaced, 2,504.095 persons have been affected on the whole, 2,407 persons have been injured, a total of 82,053 houses are completely damaged while 121,318 are partially damaged. 108,392 hectares of farmland were partially destroyed while 332,327 hectares were totally destroyed including many roads and other critical infrastructure”. She disclosed.
Earlier in the week, a Stakeholders consultative meeting held and agreed that the National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan will be implemented while state Governments must be compelled to invest in flood Management.
” Accordingly, the sectoral approach to flood management at the National and Sub-National levels must be absolutely implemented. There is the need for State Governments to invest in flood management and lead on community base flood early warning systems; hence the call on State Governments to take greater responsibilities for flood preparedness and response. 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 “.
The Humanitarian Minister further warned that Nigeria is not yet out of the woods.
” 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 woods because the Metrological Agencies are warning that States like Anambra, Delta, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa are still at risk of experiencing floods up till the end of November.We are calling on the respective State Governments, Local Government Councils and Communities to prepare for more flooding by evacuating people living on flood plains to high grounds, provide tents and relief materials, fresh water as well as medical supplies for possible outbreak of water borne diseases”.
Responding to questions from journalists, the Director General National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, Habib Ahmed said almost all the 36 states and the FCT have received food and non food items to mitigate various forms of disaster.
“Information stating that the Federal Government ’s presence is not in the states affected by flood is false. We are in every state of the federation. Relief has gone to every state of the federation and we thank the Commander in Chief and President Muhammadu Buhari and the Honorable Minister. We will continue to do our best to provide for the country “.
On the State of the evacuation, the Director, Search and Rescue of NEMA, Air Commodore Edward Adedokun said the Agency is working hand in hand with the Nigerian military to ensure that the most effective and efficient rescue mechanisms are deployed for maximin results.
According to him, the military has the capacity and capabilities to undertake search and rescue operations as well as evacuation.
” And so we got engaged with the military headquarters. The Nigerian Army Engineer Commander, was able to mobilize some boats for search and rescue operations but he needed to know the perspective from the air. What are the communities that are caught up? Which area do the boats need to go? So when he got the information across to us, we were able to get the Headquarters, Nigerian Airforce through the Director training and operations who immediately directed the air Officer Commanding ground training command of the Nigerian Airforce based at Enugu, who requested for what we call ISR, Intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance Platform pulled out from Maiduguri. It’s an aircraft that can fly and take a broad perspective, take photograph and then analyse situations on ground and get the report to the ground forces and be able to act. The IRS operations was conducted and the Army engineers are currently on top of the situation. That’s what’s happening covering the South East area particularly from Anambra”. Adedokun explained.
The Minister added that all critical stakeholders, including individuals must take responsibility to contain and avert future mishaps.
