Tackling flooding in states NOT FG's duty – Presidency

The federal government has asked states to use their monthly budgets for emergency management to address issues of flooding.

Owing to the effects of climate change, several communities across Nigeria that are prone to flooding have been partially submerged, with residents displaced.

Commenting on the development, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesperson, in a statement on Tuesday, said the lives and properties of Nigerians are at stake.

He asked state governments to urgently face their duties and ensure flooding within their regions is adequately managed.

“As many communities continue to reel under floods across the whole federation, President Muhammadu Buhari assures that the situation is under continuous monitoring and the government at the centre will keep sending teams to assess the situation with a view to rendering all necessary help,” the statement reads.

“The president extends heartfelt condolences on behalf of the nation to communities in towns and villages, many of whom have lost dear relatives, suffered extensive damage to property, and endured the destruction of crops and farm lands.

“While expressing his concerns over the hardships being faced by people due to this natural calamity, the president noted that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had written to each of the 36 states of the federation, through the states’ respective governors, advising on the appropriate action to take in view of the gloomy forecasts of the rains this year.