Buhari gives ministries 90 days to develop flood prevention plan

President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a 90-day ultimatum to Suleiman Adamu, minister of water resources, to work with the ministries of environment and transportation to develop an action plan for flood prevention. 

Buhari’s directive comes amid current flooding in parts of the country.

The 2022 flooding is said to be the worst in decades, and over 600 deaths have been recorded while millions of persons have been displaced.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had earlier warned that the excess water released in Cameroon from the Lagdo dam would cause heavy flooding in 13 states.

Currently, the floods have affected 34 out of the 36 states in the country with Benue, Kogi, Bayelsa, Delta, Anambra, and Kano being the worst-hit.

In a statement on Monday by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, Buhari directed concerned ministries to liase with state governments on flood preventive measures.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the minister of water resources to lead and coordinate with the ministries of environment and transportation as well as state governments to develop a comprehensive plan of action for preventing flood disaster in Nigeria,” the statement reads.

“The President’s directive, which was conveyed to the minister in a letter signed by his chief of staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, said the plan should be presented to him in 90 days.”

“President Buhari is regularly receiving updates on the flooding situation in the country and restates his commitment towards addressing the challenges caused by the disaster in the country.”