President Tinubu has formed a committee, headed by Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, to develop a blueprint to address the looming flood crisis in the country.
The committee, which has Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi as vice chairman, is expected to make recommendations to the president in seven days.
While making its recommendation, the committee will consider the most recent National Economic Council (NEC) flood report, the 2022 National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, and all other flood reports.
According to reports, the president’s directive preempted the emergency meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who then charged the committee with acting swiftly and proactively.
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“Based on the submissions by the DG of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, the situation is not that terrible but to be forewarned is to be forearmed,” Mr Shettima said.
He added: “Though the situation is not as bad as we might think, we need to set up a committee so that the report of the Presidential Committee and the 2022 Federal Executive Council—approved broad preparedness plan should be harmonised and implemented immediately.”
Shettima further stated that the North East Development Commission (NEDC), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Federal Government will share responsibility and resources in dealing with the flood problem in different states.
“I deliberately invited the NEDC and NDDC, so that with whatever resources that NEMA has, they have to be released to the states so that they can start making preparations for an eventuality,” he said.
