Buhari gives Minister 90days to produce plan to curb flood in Nigeria

Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari has given directive to the Minister of Water Resources to lead, coordinate with Environment and Transportation Ministries as well as State Governments in developing a Comprehensive Plan of Action for Preventing Flood Disaster in Nigeria.

In a statement released by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu on Monday, as the President’s directive, which was conveyed to the Minister in a letter signed by his Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, said the Plan should be presented to him in 90 days.

The President, Buhari who has been regularly receiving updates on the flooding situation in the country, restated his commitment towards addressing the challenges caused by the disaster in the country.

Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities said Rivers, Anambra, Delta, Cross River and Bayelsa states remain at risk of flooding until the end of November.

The flooding has killed more than 600 people, displaced around 1.4 million and damaged or destroyed 440,000 hectares of farmland.

Health officials also warned that it could worsen an ongoing cholera outbreak, and even natural gas exports are at risk.

Recently, the United Nations UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres expressed sadness and condolences to the Nigerian people affected by flood, reiterating the United Nations continued commitment to supporting the Government of Nigeria in this challenging time.

He said hundreds of lives and livelihoods have been lost, 1.3 million people have been displaced, and more than 2.8 million people have been impacted, Infrastructure and farmland have also been damaged, worsening the cost of living across the country.