My Blog

Category: Climate Change

  • NEC Directs Waterways and Dams Audit to Tackle Flooding 

    NEC Directs Waterways and Dams Audit to Tackle Flooding 

    One of the forward looking decisions taken at the recent 145th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) was the order for the audit of all inland waterways.

    At the meeting presided by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima the federal ministry of water resources and sanitation was instructed to carry out an in-depth assessment of Nigeria’s waterways and dams to manage the challenges posed by frequent floods.

     This directive, following a NEC meeting led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, reflects the council’s concern over widespread flood damage.

    Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, shared details from the NEC meeting, where members reviewed recent updates from the water resources minister, Joseph Utsev, on ongoing federal interventions. 

    With many regions, especially in the South-East and South-South, heavily impacted by floods, NEC harped on the need to consider these areas in dam construction plans to help manage water flow and act as barriers on main highways near the River Niger.

    The council also urged state governors who have yet to submit flood management reports to complete this process promptly. 

    A call was made for enhanced emergency response coordination between states and federal authorities, which includes a possible infrastructure resilience plan within the Green Climate Fund to boost national flood response efforts.

    The devastation from recent floods has been extensive, affecting about 34 states, 217 local governments, and displacing over 740,000 residents.

    READ ALSO: DEVELOPING INLAND WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATION

  • NiMet predicts three-day thunderstorms from Monday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms from Monday to Wednesday across the nation.
    NiMet`s weather outlook released in Abuja on Sunday forecast morning thunderstorms on Monday over parts of Sokoto state, Kebbi and Borno.
    According to it, thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto States later in the day.
    “Thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and Kwara States during the morning hours.
    “ In the afternoon and evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kwara, the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Benue and Kogi states.
    “Rains are envisaged over the southwest inland, especially parts of Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Ogun extending to the coastal states of Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States during the morning hours, “ it said.
    The agency envisaged thunderstorms over parts of Enugu, Edo, Ebonyi, Ondo, Abia, Osun, Imo, Ekiti, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers and Lagos states later in the day.
    NiMet anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Taraba, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto and Zamfara states during the morning hours on Tuesday.
    According to it, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe and Adamawa states later in the day.
    “Thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Benue and Nasarawa States within the morning hours.
    “Later in the day thunderstorms are expected over the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and Kwara states.
    “Morning rains are envisaged over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross river and Rivers States while the remaining parts of the South should be cloudy,” it said.
    It anticipated thunderstorms over parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross river and Rivers States later in the day.
    The agency predicted morning thunderstorms over parts of Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Borno, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states on Wednesday.
    According to it, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina states.
    NiMet forecasts thunderstorms over parts of Niger and Kwara States while the remaining States in the North Central should be cloudy during the morning hours.
    “ Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue States.
    Rains are expected over parts of Cross River. Rivers and Akwa Ibom States during the morning hours with cloudy skies to the rest of the states in the South.
    “Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over most parts of Imo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo and Delta States,,“ it said.
    NiMet urged residents to avoid flood-prone areas as there is a high likelihood of urban flooding in major cities due to heavy downpours.
    According to it, strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, so the public should take adequate precaution.
    “Adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities. Public and Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.
    “Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website, www.nimet.gov.ng.”

  • Flood cuts off 5 villages in Kaduna LG

    A flood disaster has severed the road connecting Saminaka town to five agrarian communities, including Marjire, in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

     

    The collapse of a bridge on the outskirts of Saminaka has isolated these communities from the local government headquarters.

     

    Governor Uba Sani has assured that his administration will take immediate action to address the plight of the affected communities. Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Malam Liman Sani Kila, who led the Flood Impact Assessment Committee to Lere LGA, the Governor emphasized his commitment to developing the rural economy.

     

    Malam Sani Kila promised that, in addition to reconstructing the damaged road and bridge, relief materials would be provided to the affected communities.

     

    He stated, “We have seen the extent of the damage and understand the urgency of the situation. Five communities have been cut off, and their commercial activities severely impacted. We assure that Governor Uba Sani is committed to addressing the plights of the citizens, and our committee will brief him on this development today.”

     

    Lere Local Government Chairman, Hon. Mathew Bulus Gambo, expressed gratitude to Governor Uba Sani for setting up a high-powered committee to address the issue. He noted that the collapse of the bridge has crippled economic activities in the affected areas, emphasizing the importance of prompt action.

     

    The committee also visited other flood-affected locations within the local government, including Wawan Rafi Village, where another bridge collapsed, as well as Nasarawa and Ungwan Shuru areas of Saminaka township.

     

  • FG Responds to Maiduguri Floods

    FG Responds to Maiduguri Floods

    The Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has addressed the severe flooding that has impacted various states across Nigeria.

     

    The floods, attributed to unusual rainfall patterns and ongoing climate change, have displaced over 1 million people and caused extensive property damage.

     

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reports that the flooding has led to substantial humanitarian challenges, with significant economic losses.

     

    In response, the Federal Ministry of Environment had previously issued flood awareness directives to state governments and relevant agencies, including early warnings for high-risk areas.

     

    The Alau Dam flooding, in particular, has devastated communities in Borno State, prompting urgent collaborative recovery efforts. The Ministry continues to work with state authorities and international partners to address the crisis and support affected individuals.

     

    The public is advised to relocate from flood-prone areas, follow evacuation orders, and stay informed through official channels. The Ministry remains committed to mitigating the impacts of flooding and enhancing community resilience.

     

    For further updates, residents are encouraged to adhere to safety guidelines and report any incidents of flooding.