President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered
the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA,
Mustapha Maihaja, to declare a “national disaster’’ in the event that
anticipated flooding turns a reality in some parts of the country.
The President’s directive follows
a warning by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency that Rivers Benue and
Niger had almost reached levels that resulted in flooding in 2012, which led to
loss of lives and destruction of property.
A letter to the Director of
General of NEMA entitled: “Situation Report on the River Flood Along the Banks
of Rivers Benue and Niger’’, which was signed by the Chief of Staff to the
President, Abba Kyari, said: “Delegation of authority to the Director General
of NEMA to activate the Disaster Response Units of the military for possible
search and rescue missions, and the procurement and proportionate stocking of
relief materials and health related items up to N3 billion to provide for the
needs of possible victims.’’
The letter also instructed the
head of the emergency agency to provide regular updates to the President.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services
Agency (NIHSA) had warned Nigerians living by the banks of River Niger to
evacuate the area immediately over possible flooding.
The warning was issued in a
statement signed by the agency’s Director of Engineering Hydrology, Mr Clement
Nze, in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Director listed some states
likely to be affected; they include, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Anambra, Delta,
and Bayelsa.
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