Flooding: Set up committee to mobilise financial support for victims, CAN tells FG

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has advised the federal government to set up a presidential flood relief and rehabilitation committee to mobilise funds to support victims of recent flooding.

Daniel Okoh, national president of CAN, said this on Tuesday in a statement.

According to him, the association is deeply concerned about the havoc that the flooding has caused in communities across the country.

Over 200 persons have died in flood-related incidents, while hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced.

Speaking further, Okoh said the association is worried that the flooding had affected huge number of people, displaced homes, businesses, farmlands and worship centres.

Okoh said the proposed committee should consist of Nigerians who will mobilise financial assistance from the public and private sectors to support victims of flooding.

The CAN president also said setting up the presidential committee is necessary, “because diligent intervention by all stakeholders will reduce the burden imposed by the natural disaster”.

He also said there should be more efforts focused on working towards providing permanent solutions to flooding, since it has become a yearly issue.

“We must further improve on our warning system, promote flood resilient buildings, construct buildings above flood levels, and increase spending on the construction of flood defences,” he said.

“Our people should be encouraged to embrace planting of trees strategically, while the authorities should stop at nothing to restore rivers to their natural courses and introducing water storage areas.

“Apart from clearing the drainage, the government should also embark on public enlightenment about the responsibilities of citizens, which could help to reduce the impact of flooding.”