Prepare For More Rains, River Flooding In 19 States, FCT - FG Warns Nigerians

*Urges States, LGAs To Take Urgent Steps To Avert Disaster 

*Says Flooding May Worsen Cholera Outbreak In The Southern States 

The Federal Government on Thursday again alerted Nigerians of more rains and river flooding in nineteen states of the Federation and the FCT.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engr Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev issued the warning at a press briefing on the current flood situation in the country held in Abuja.

Prof Utsev, according to a statement by his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Terhemen Oraduen, listed the States likely to be affected by the flooding beginning from this month to include, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Adamawa, Benue, Bayelsa,Cross River, Delta, Edo, Jigawa, Kogi, Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Ondo, Ogun, Rivers, Taraba and the FCT. 

The flood outlook which was released in April this year and elaborated in three scenarios taking into consideration the hydrological year and the onset of rains in the country, the Minister noted that it indicated that ten states in the country have already experienced one degree of flooding or the other with several casualties recorded including displacement of people.

He however said the flow situation at the country's various monitoring stations in Niamey and River Benue sub-basin at  Wuroboki in Adamawa State remain  normal while there was no release of water from Lagdo dam at a moment. 

Prof Utsev assured that the Nigerian government will continue to monitor it's flow stations as it approach the critical months .

The Minister warned that the flooding especially in the southern part of the country may worsen the cholera outbreak in the country and there was a compelling need for citizens to improve on personal hygiene 

He said he was working day and night along with his colleague ministers to tackle further spread of cholera in the country. 

 

Professor Utsev called on states and local governments to educate their citizens on the need to improve on personal hygiene and imbibe the culture of keeping their surroundings clean and desist from indiscriminate disposal of wastes materials, de-silt drainage channels and canals in  their areas and relocate  people living along the water ways or flood plains to safer grounds to avoid being cut off from the impending disaster.

Speaking on what efforts the Federal Government is doing to end perennial flooding in the country, the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation Barr Bello Goronyo explained that the Ad-hoc Committee on Flood, Erosion, Draught and Desertification which he is Charing the Technical Committee has   submitted its report to the National Economic Council NEC which has been approved. 

He therefore expressed optimism that implementation would soon commence.

On whether the states and local governments have complied with the warnings issued in April this year and their level of preparedness to mitigate the impact of flooding in their areas, the Director General,Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency NIHSA, Engr Clement Nze, said his agency and the ministry have no constitutional power to enforce compliance on states or local governments but can only issue advance informations for actors to take preventive measures.