The national economic council (NEC) has approved the release of funds to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to mitigate the impact of flooding across the country.
Wale Edun, minister of finance, announced the decision in Abuja on Thursday while addressing State House correspondents after the NEC meeting chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had warned that 1,249 communities in 30 states and the federal capital territory (FCT) are at high risk of flooding.
Edun said the funding will be directed towards bolstering flood preparedness and disaster response efforts, given forecasts of heavier-than-usual rainfall in the coming season.
Advertisement
He said the move will prevent the devastation seen in previous years and ensure timely intervention by frontline agencies and state governments.
“Last year, funding was provided to support NEMA and relevant ministries. This year, we have again been mandated to put together an intervention programme that will offer tangible support for flood prevention and relief,” Edun said.
“Flooding is a shared challenge and requires a whole-of-society approach. All tiers of government must be fully involved, from enforcement of planning laws to equipping emergency response teams.”
Advertisement
The minister said resources will be allocated to NEMA and federal ministries of water resources, environment, budget and economic planning, and state emergency management agencies (SEMAs), including the FCT.
To deepen response capabilities at the grassroots, he said the NEC directed the establishment and activation of local emergency management committees in all LGAs.
Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning, said the federal and state governments have launched a renewed hope ward development programme to establish jobs across 8,809 wards in the country.
“Having stabilised the macroeconomy, the next step is to drill development down to the lowest levels so that, in all 8,809 wards, we can stimulate economic activity that will generate employment, reduce poverty, enhance food security, and strengthen social protection,” Bagudu said.
Advertisement
“Mr. President believes that to reduce poverty and food insecurity, we must invest collaboratively in the creative energy of Nigerians in every ward. Having achieved macroeconomic stability, this programme is the natural next step.”
The NEC members comprise the 36 state governors, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and other government officials.
