321 Dead, 740,000 Displaced Due to Flooding in Nigeria, NEC Gives Solution

• NEC reports that over 1.3 million Nigerians have been affected by floods across 34 states, resulting in 321 deaths
• Soludo revealed that the council is urging state-level emergency agencies to enhance their collaboration with NEMA
• The council also emphasized the need for a comprehensive assessment of Nigeria's waterways and dams to prevent future flood risks

The National Economic Council (NEC) has reported that more than 1.3 million Nigerians have been affected by floods across 34 states.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State disclosed the figures during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday after Vice-President Kashim Shettima presided over the NEC meeting at the State House.

Soludo revealed that 321 people have died due to the flooding, while 740,000 others have been displaced.

Additionally, 281,000 houses have been destroyed and 258,000 cultivated farmlands have been affected.

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The governor urged state-level emergency agencies to enhance their collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to address the disaster effectively.

“You know the country is facing a national emergency with regard to flooding, and the reports so far identify a major national disaster,” Soludo stated.

He highlighted that 34 states and 217 local government areas have been affected, with 1,374,557 persons impacted and 740,743 displaced nationwide.

Furthermore, 321 persons have died, 2,854 have been injured, and 281,000 houses and 258,000 cultivated farmlands have been destroyed or affected by the floods.

The council deliberated on actions at the subnational level and emphasized the need for state emergency management agencies to enhance their efforts and collaborate closely with NEMA.

Soludo also mentioned that the NEC urged the federal ministry of water resources and sanitation to conduct a comprehensive assessment of Nigeria’s waterways and dams to identify structural vulnerabilities.

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The council stressed the importance of implementing an annual desilting programme for waterways to mitigate future flood risks.

Soludo noted that states that have not yet submitted their flood impact reports should do so, as these reports are crucial for creating targeted relief programs.

“The council also recommended that the green climate fund incorporate a resilience infrastructure fund component to support communities in flood-prone areas,” Soludo added.

Flooding in Nigeria

Flooding in Nigeria has become a recurrent issue, affecting millions across various states.

In recent times, floods have caused significant loss of life, displacement of people, and destruction of property, including homes and farmlands.

According to experts, these events are often exacerbated by poor infrastructure, inadequate drainage systems, and the impacts of climate change, highlighting the need for effective management and preventive measures.

While speaking with Legit.ng, Aliyu Tijani, a climate expert, shared insight on how citizens and government can work together to tackle climate crisis:

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"Well, the citizens of developing countries like Nigeria, as the most affected communities by climate change, have a role to play toward addressing the climate crisis by upholding adaptation and mitigation strategies, participating in active citizenship, thereby demanding climate justice from their leaders as well as industries, and holding governments accountable for climate action. At the community level, reducing reliance on firewood and charcoal as their source of energy will minimize deforestation, discourage desertification, and facilitate more carbon sinking, resulting in less GHG emissions. If Nigeria is serious about combating climate change, it should create an agency for climate change under the Ministry of Environment for the purpose of drafting and implementing its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), encouraging ethical, adaptive, and sustainable practices as well as being transparent to its citizens toward achieving climate security. It is high time for FGN to realize that climate change is real and has an impact on the lives of their citizens. Awakening from its long slumber on greenwashing promises and policies."

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NEMA releases fresh report on death toll

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that at least 49 people have lost their lives, and thousands have been displaced in northeastern Nigeria due to severe flooding caused by heavy rains.

The National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) reported on Monday, August 26, that the flooding has severely affected the states of Jigawa, Adamawa, and Taraba, with 41,344 people displaced, Nigerian Tribune reported.

Source: Legit.ng