The National Economic Council, Nigeria’s highest economic advisory body, recommended on Thursday the inclusion of the South East and South-South regions in the construction of dams. The council also supported an earlier Federal Government directive instructing the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to undertake a comprehensive integrity test of Nigeria’s waterways and dams to mitigate flooding.
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, made this announcement following the 144th meeting of the council, which was chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House in Abuja. Soludo revealed that the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, had briefed council members about the government’s interventions in response to the significant impact of this year’s flooding.
The ministry previously identified 148 local government areas across 31 states as high-risk flood zones from April to November 2024. According to Soludo, after the minister’s presentation, the council resolved that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation should conduct an integrity review of all waterways and dams nationwide. The council emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive dredging program for the waterways.
Additionally, it urged governors who have not submitted reports on flooding and management in their states to do so promptly. The council also noted that the Green Climate Fund should include a component for infrastructure resilience and highlighted that critical areas, particularly in the South East and South-South regions, have been severely affected by flooding but are currently excluded from ongoing dam construction programs. These dams could serve as barriers along highways, particularly near the River Niger.
Soludo explained that the council took into account the national emergency and discussed the ongoing coordination between the states and the Federal Government regarding damage responses and further necessary steps. To date, approximately 34 states have been impacted, with 217 local governments affected. Over 1.3 million people have been impacted, including 740,743 displaced individuals. The floods have resulted in 321 fatalities, 20,845 injuries, and destruction or damage to 250,800 hectares of cultivated farmland.
He further stated that the council highlighted the need for an annual desilting program for waterways to reduce future flood risks. During his presentation, Utsev informed the council that a technical sub-committee appointed by the President on October 8, 2024, is currently carrying out its tasks and will compile an interim report to be presented to the inter-ministerial committee for further transmission to the President.
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