From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The National Economic Council (NEC) yesterday described Nigeria’s recent flooding as a national disaster, and called for intensified response efforts across the affected states.
Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, who briefed State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said according to the council’s reports, the floods have impacted 34 states and 217 local governments, and displaced over 740,000 people.
Additionally, he said 321 lives have been lost, 2,854 people injured, and substantial damage has been inflicted on homes and farmland.
Soludo who highlighted the gravity of the situation, said council urged state-level emergency agencies to strengthen their coordination with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
He emphasised that State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) must ‘up their game’ to manage the crisis effectively.
Soludo said: “You know the country is facing national emergency with regard to flooding and the reports so far identify a major national disaster.
“We’ve been called upon to note that to date, about 34 states have been affected, 217 local Governments, and 1,374,557 persons already affected. And 740,743 were displaced nationwide, with 321 persons dead and 2,854 injured, including 281,000 houses that were destroyed, and 258,000 cultivated farmlands that were also destroyed, or affected by the ravaging flood.
“Council deliberated on the actions, particularly at the sub-national level, and got up on the the SEMA, the various state emergency management agencies, to up their game and increase the collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),” he said.
The Anambra Governor said NEC also called on the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to conduct a thorough review of Nigeria’s waterways and dams to identify structural vulnerabilities.
He said council emphasised the need for an annual desilting programme for waterways to reduce future flood risks.
The council urged states that have not yet submitted their flood impact reports to do so promptly, as these reports are essential for developing targeted relief programmes.