FG Reaffirms Commitment To Flood Mitigation At Inaugural Inter-Ministerial Meeting On Dam Evaluation

In a decisive step toward addressing Nigeria’s flood-related challenges, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, participated in the inaugural meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on the Evaluation of Dams. Chaired by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engineer Joseph Utsev, the meeting was convened to assess the safety and functionality of dams nationwide.

During the session, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation underscored the recent review of the devastating floods in Maiduguri and surrounding areas, discussed during the Federal Executive Council meeting held on September 23rd, 2024. The Council emphasized the urgent need for a Disaster Relief Fund to enable a swift response to national disasters and minimize the hardships experienced by affected communities.

Approved by President Tinubu, the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee has been tasked with evaluating the structural integrity of Nigeria’s dams, assessing their social and environmental impact on local communities, and formulating a comprehensive plan to address the challenges posed by these critical infrastructures.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, HM Edun highlighted that although the current response is tied to the Borno floods, the government has been actively preparing for such events. He noted that earlier in the year, funding was allocated to all states to implement measures aimed at mitigating the impact of flooding.

The Honourable Minister further revealed that President Tinubu has established a separate committee to create a Disaster Relief Fund dedicated to addressing specific national emergencies. This initiative, he noted will include private sector leadership and is part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen national preparedness, particularly in light of the growing risks posed by climate change.