The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has advocated for the construction of buffer dams to curtail the excessive flooding across the country.Edu, who made this known on Tuesday in a statement by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Rasheed Zubair, said the buffer dams would prevent loss of lives and property.
She added that the move would go along way in addressing flood challenges faced by Nigerians especially as it related to the opening of Lagdo Dam by Cameroonian authorities.
The statement indicated that the Minister was speaking when she received the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Mr Joseph Bassey, in her office.
The Minister informed the committee of the ministry’s desire to drive the renewed hope agenda of the Tinubu Administration towards improving coordination, prevention and preparedness for flood risk and emergencies.
”We are committed to drive the mission of Mr President to improve coordination and preparation for the flooding that might likely follow the opening of the Lagdo Dam.
”Any other flooding which can lead to humanitarian crises because we believe prevention of loss of lives and properties are key.”
While reassuring the committee of the President’s determination to lift Nigerians out of poverty and humanitarian crises, the Minister urged them to be part of the project.
“Mr President is passionate about reducing the suffering of Nigerians and he is committed to ensure that Nigerians feel the impact of his administration as soon as possible” she said.
She, therefore, commended the leadership qualities of the Speaker of the House of Representatives for his commitment and unflinching support to the Federal Government in its bid to provide good governance.
According to her, this is evident by the caliber of people with their wealth of experience heading the various House Committees.
Edu also commended the House Speaker, Mr Tajudeen Abbas for the quality leadership for putting the right people in the right committees.
Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness, Rep. Joseph Bassey, lauded the proactive steps taken by the Humanitarian Ministry towards tackling humanitarian crises in Nigeria.
Bassey said they were at the Minister’s office as part of their overshight function to review Nigeria’s level of preparedness for the impending opening of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
”Massive flooding ravages parts of Nigeria whenever the Dam in Cameroon is opened by the country’s authority, so, we are here as part of the Committee’s oversight of the humanitarian activities.
“No one can predict disaster, but preparedness determines how effectively the consequences can be managed”. (NAN)
