The National Economic Council (NEC) has directed the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to undertake a comprehensive integrity review of Nigeria’s waterways and dams to address the devastating impacts of flooding across the nation.
This directive was made at Thursday’s NEC meeting, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima and held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Following the meeting, Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, briefed State House correspondents, revealing that the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, had updated the NEC on the government’s intervention efforts in response to this year’s severe floods. The Ministry had earlier highlighted 148 local government areas in 31 states as high flood-risk zones for 2024, from April to November, marking a heightened alert over what has become a serious national disaster.
Professor Soludo stated that after receiving the Minister’s report, the NEC emphasized the need for a “massive programme of dredging of the waterways” to ensure improved water flow and reduce the flood impact on affected communities. He also revealed that the Council urged state governors yet to submit their reports on flood conditions in their regions to do so without delay, which will aid in a more coordinated federal response.
“The Council noted the need for a Green Climate Fund infrastructure resilient component,” Soludo said, pointing out that some parts of Nigeria, especially the Southeast and South-South regions, face a high flood risk yet have been overlooked in current dam construction programs. Building dams in critical areas along waterways, such as the River Niger, could help mitigate the worst impacts by slowing down floodwaters.
As of now, the impact of the floods is alarming, with 34 states and 217 local government areas affected. According to Professor Soludo, over 1.37 million people have been impacted, displacing 740,743 and leaving 321 dead and over 20,000 injured. The floods have also destroyed an estimated 250,800 acres of cultivated farmland, worsening the country’s food security challenges.
In addition to the NEC’s directive, Professor Utsev informed the Council that a technical sub-committee established by President Bola Tinubu on October 8, 2024, is currently working on an interim report to be submitted to the Inter-Ministerial Committee. The final findings will be presented to the President as part of a larger strategy to counteract the flood crisis effectively.
With these efforts, the Nigerian government aims to enhance its preparedness and response, ensuring the protection of lives, property, and vital infrastructure from future floods.
