By Fatima Saka
In line with its effort to avert future flooding disaster in the country, the Federal government on Thursday in Abuja inaugurated a committee in action for combating flood and disaster management in Nigeria.
The technical committees, has Engr. Sulieman H Adamu, minister of Water Resources as its chairman.
Speaking at the inauguration which took place at the Presidential Villa, Adamu said the committee was inaugurated in accordance with the President Mohammadu Buhari’s directive to lead and collaborate with relevant Federal Ministries, Agencies and State Governments to develop action plans for Preventing Flood and Disasters in Nigeria within a period of 90 days.
According to the minister of Water Resources, the members of the Presidential Committee inaugurated as seasoned professionals and bureaucrats who have been selected from across the MDAs, States and Professional Organisations.
“This contributed immensely to the Water Resources, Environmental, Agricultural and other Sectors of the Country.
“I urge you therefore, to consider your nomination to membership of this Committee as a privilege and another opportunity to serve and contribute towards safeguarding the lives and well-being of our fellow citizens that otherwise would be vulnerable to the devastating effects of flood in the future.
Also, speaking the deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim on his part claimed that the floods of 2022 induce significant loss on his state affecting one-third of its local government areas.
“the formation of the committee came in good time as the state the state government was deliberating on using excess water from flooding for hydropower generation,” he said.
The minister of environment Dr. Hassan Abdullahi, claimed that flooding was a result of human activity and urged states to heed early warning signs.
In addition, he stated that building permits be strictly enforced by the government to end the practice of building indiscriminately on flood plains.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, also spoke, noting that the rise in global temperatures had led to predictions that the effects of climate change on people and the environment will worse over the next years.
He asserted that the committee must give solutions for health promotion and disease prevention because flooding’s effects on the health sector could result in an increase in water-borne illnesses
The following are the members of the Steering Committee:
Minister of Water Resources – Chairman Honourable, Minister of Environment, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Minister of agriculture and Rural Development, Minister of Health, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Minister of Works and Housing, among others.
