Mohammed Shosanya
President Bola Tinubu has approved the sum of N108 billion to 36 States to tackle perennial flooding in the country.
Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, revealed this on Friday at a media briefing in Abuja.
Utsev stated that the approval of the money by President Tinubu was sequel to the Report submitted by the Presidential Committee on the Development of Strategic Plan for Preventing Flood Disasters in Nigeria that was set up.
He noted that the report recommended 10 Strategic Areas to address the menace of annual flooding in Nigeria and relevant interventions, taking into consideration required activities pre, during and post flooding periods.
These, he said, include responsible agencies, expected outcomes, as well as timelines and indicative costs, adding that this led to the approval of the money by the President for the 36 States.
Utsev also raised the alarm on the rising level of water on rivers Niger and Benue and some of their tributaries.
He said: “As we mourn the losses in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi and other states affected by flooding, the attention of Nigerians is hereby drawn to the probable river flooding on rivers Niger and Benue and some of their tributaries.
“The daily flow on these rivers indicates significant increase in flow levels tending towards RED alert.
“This warning means that large volume of water is moving through our rivers down to the delta region.
“Therefore, we should increase vigilance on all ramifications and step up proactive measures to address any eventual flooding events in the southern part of the country.”
The Minister urged states and key stakeholders to take heed to the flood early warning information from the Ministry and take proactive measures to forestall future flooding and activate response measures to alleviate the suffering of the citizens that have been affected by floods.
On the current flood that has ravaged Borno State, he disclosed that a team of technical experts from the Ministry, National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) including Chad Basin Development Authority has been dispatched to Borno State to assess the situation in Alau Dam and the extent of the flood disaster and come up with useful findings and recommendations.
Utsev further stated that reports of similar visits in Bauchi, Sokoto and Kebbi States have been produced and action is being taken.
He advised residents from these States to desist from drinking flooded water, to forestall outbreak of waterborne and communicable diseases.
“It should be noted however, that as we try to recover from this disaster, the water we drink may be contaminated, we should please be mindful of this, so as to avoid further outbreak of waterborne and communicable diseases,” he said.
He said that he had visited Maiduguri, together with the Minister of State, Bello Mohammad Goronyo, and Heads of Agencies and Parastatals in the Ministry to express solidarity with the Governor, Borno State as well as assess the extent of devastation caused by the flood.
On the cause of flooding in the State, he said:”This flood disaster that affected Maiduguri and Jere areas of Borno State was largely due to overflow of water from Alau Dam which is about 10 kilometres from Maiduguri city centre, owing to massive inflow from Ngadda river, a major tributary of River Yedzaram.”
He also sympathised with the government and people of Borno State on the flood disaster that befell them few days ago, adding that “This flood disaster, directly and indirectly affected millions of Nigerians, destroying homes, property, farmlands, roads, critical infrastructure and assets, among others.
“I identify with you all as we progress to navigate through this difficult time.”