Fed Govt Identifies 148 LGAs Facing High Flood Risks
In a proactive move, the Federal Government has pinpointed over 148 local government areas (LGAs) spread across 31 states in Nigeria that are at significant risk of flooding throughout 2024, from April to November.
According to a statement by Funmi Imuetinyan, the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, the Honourable Minister, highlighted this development during the launch of the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) event in Abuja.
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In Utsev’s words, “The data indicates that various parts of the country, including regions in Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Kano, among others, are particularly vulnerable to the devastating impacts of flooding.”
He emphasized the significance of the AFO in mitigating the adverse effects of floods, aligning it with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing food security and reducing poverty.
The report underscores the dire consequences these areas face, including threats to population, agriculture, livelihoods, infrastructure, and the environment due to potential floods. Additionally, it identifies 249 LGAs across 36 states and the FCT where moderate impact level floods are projected.
Minister Utsev urged prompt action from state governors to address the findings of the 2024 AFO, stressing the imperative of collaboration among policymakers, government departments, and agencies to effectively tackle flood risks nationwide.
