States in the country have been asked by the federal government to urgently face their duties and ensure flooding within their regions is adequately managed.
States in the country have been asked by the federal government to urgently face their duties and ensure flooding within their regions is adequately managed.
Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu who stated that calls for the federal government to respond to all outbreaks of natural disaster does not display an understanding of Nigerian law, urged Governors in the country to use their monthly budgets for emergency management to address issues of flooding.
The statement read “As many communities continue to reel under floods across the whole federation, President Muhammadu Buhari assures that the situation is under continuous monitoring and the government at the centre will keep sending teams to assess the situation with a view to rendering all necessary help.
“The president extends heartfelt condolences on behalf of the nation to communities in towns and villages, many of whom have lost dear relatives, suffered extensive damage to property, and endured the destruction of crops and farm lands.
“While expressing his concerns over the hardships being faced by people due to this natural calamity, the president noted that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had written to each of the 36 states of the federation, through the states’ respective governors, advising on the appropriate action to take in view of the gloomy forecasts of the rains this year.
“The structure of the response mechanism on this issue is clear: the government at the center should step in to directly address national-level emergencies and that local government councils and the states are the first responders in all situations.
“Calls for the federal government to respond to all outbreaks of natural disaster do not just display an understanding of Nigerian law.
“While not a national-level emergency, the ongoing flooding is an emergency nevertheless. Nigerian lives and property are at stake.”
