Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources, has said the 2021 Annual Flood Outlook shows that 28 states in the country are at risk of severe flooding.
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According to him, the state are: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano and Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba and Zamfara.
Adamu disclosed this on Thursday at the public presentation of the 2021 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) in Abuja.
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“This year, we will be grappling with the two threats of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the impending floods as predicted in the AFO.
“The flood projections show varying severity across parts of the country.
“In summary, the 2021 AFO forecast indicates that 302 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 36 states including the FCT will fall within the moderate probable flood risk areas.
“It is expected from the forecast that 121 LGAs in 28 states will fall within the highly probable risk areas.
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“The states surrounding Rivers Niger and Benue are, without doubt, going to experience severe flooding.
“Floods come with attendant health risks through the contamination of potable water sources. The 2021 flooding will be exacerbated by the continuing ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
He noted that the 2012 flood brought about massive destruction of lives and property across the country.
The minister stated that this necessitated the putting in place of proper mechanism to prepare Nigerians to confront the disaster whenever it occurred.
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Adamu urged Nigerians to do all within their power to give succor to the populace grappling with the twin problems.
He said stakeholders, including policy makers and tiers of government should rise to the challenge of the impending flooding and take appropriate measures such as clearing of waterways and flood paths to contain it.
