Minister of State for Environment Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako has directed that Nigerians on flood plains, particularly those by River Benue, should move to higher grounds.
Salako made this call as a result of the flood prediction issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment National Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) hub.
The minister stated that, reports from Adamawa and Taraba state have shown that the predicted flooding is taking place, hence there is need for urgent actions by all stakeholders in flood management nationwide.
The minister advised that all other areas predicted for should be on high alert and should take proactive measures.
In the light of the above, the Federal Ministry of Environment is calling on all the stakeholders inclusive of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Ministry of Humanitarian & Poverty Alleviation Affairs, Red Cross/Crescent, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Federal Ministry of Health, State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) among others to activate without delay their Flood Emmergency Response Actions.
These response actions according to Salako should be geared towards; Awareness Creation, Evacuation, provision of Basic Needs and temporary Shelter as well as providing medical attention/Facilities.
The Minister assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Environment will continue to monitor Developments at the
National Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) Central Hub and will continue to update the citizenry accordingly to avoid a recurrence of the past events.
