Produce masterplan against floods within 90 days - Buhari orders Water Resources Minister

The Minister of Water Resources has been ordered to coordinate with the Ministries of Environment and Transportation as well as other state governments to develop a Comprehensive Plan of Action for Preventing Flood Disasters in Nigeria.

The directive was issued by President Muhammadu Buhari in a letter conveyed and signed by his Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari. The action plan should be presented to him in 90 days.

The statement on Monday, October 24 added that the President is regularly receiving updates on the flooding situation in the country and restates his commitment towards addressing the challenges caused by the disaster in the country.

It is not clear whether the President’s directive is in reaction to criticism from some Nigerians who have accused the Federal Government of paying lip service to the flooding challenges, Daily Post reports.

A recent report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) over the weekend had put over 1.5 million children at risk of dropping out of schools and facing imminent health challenges owing to the flood situation which has reportedly affected 34 states out of 36 in Nigeria.

NBA