The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has called for the construction of new dams to contain the excess water causing floods across the country.
He has also called for the de-silting of the existing dams and major rivers, especially Niger and Benue rivers, as measures to tackle the perennial flooding in the country.
Professor Utsev was speaking on Thursday at the 145th National Economic Council Meeting, Chaired by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja.
The minister also recommended the installation of hydrological equipment and the development of dam safety practices as critical steps to addressing severe flooding across the country.
Professor Utsev explained that his ministry is constructing dams nationwide as part of a strategic effort at mitigating the frequent flooding that ravages houses, farmlands and other critical infrastructures with negative impact on the national economy.
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He informed the Council that the Technical Sub-Committee on Evaluation of Dams, which he chairs, was conducting an evaluation of dams across the country and the report from the committee would be submitted to the Inter-Ministerial Committee upon completion for onward presentation to the President for necessary action.
The minister noted that all thirty-six states, including the Federal Capital Territory, were affected by flooding this year, with Borno State worst hit.
He emphasized that his Ministry, through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), was promoting the use of data analytics and modeling for flood risk assessment to improve nationwide flood preparedness.
According to him, NIHSA has issued eleven Annual Flood Outlooks (AFOs) since 2013 as part of efforts at raising awareness on the importance of a clean and safe environment.
The minister appealed to State Governors to encourage their residents to avoid building on waterways and to ensure drainage channels are cleared to help mitigate the impact of flooding.
