•I’ll solve flood problems, says Atiku
•Diri appreciates Atiku, Sanwo-Olu, Emmanuel, others for donations
The recent flood disaster ravaging the country will lead to insurance claims of over one trillion naira, the President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Rotimi Edu has said.
Edu, who spoke exclusively with The Nation at the Council’s 60th Anniversary Grand Ball and Night of Honors held in Lagos, stated that by the time the flood recedes, a lot of damage including lives lost and the exact amount of loss can be ascertained.
He said those who have had their properties insured will be adequately compensated.
“In insurance we have products that can cover the flood incidents across the country. For people who have insurance and have insured their homes, they are well covered and would get their claims. This incident should also serve as a lesson for those who have not insured their lives and properties.
“On behalf of our Council, we join voices in sympathizing with citizens who are victims of the on-going flooding across the country where lives and properties have been lost.
“It is a time to implore the Federal and State Governments to convoke stakeholders’ engagement on the malaise and also factor in insurance into management of disasters in the country, in order to free governments funds often expended on palliatives for other pressing public good. Our Council is open to such opportunity”, Edu said.
Meanwhile, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has sympathised with victims of the flood across the country.
Also, the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) said claims would be reported when the flood is over.
Insurance companies in year 2020, paid N1.64 billion claims to practitioners of commercial and subsidized agriculture that suffered losses.
Data obtained from the Nigerian insurers Association (NIA) revealed that operators of commercial agriculture got N836.24 million claims while those in the subsidizedn business got N857.08 million, amounting to an aggregate of N1.64 billion.
Atiku: How I’ll solve country’s flood disaster problems
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to solve Nigeria’s flood disaster preparations problem, saying if given the opportunity, his administration would retool the country’s disaster awareness apparatus.
Atiku, according to a post his verified Twitter handle, spoke when he visited Yenagoa, the Bayelsa Capital, to asses the flood devastation.
He said: “My government, if given the opportunity, will retool our disaster awareness apparatus, such as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA), to better forecast disasters and give the warning signals required to activate our national emergency response protocols.
“Retooling will also include the reform of the Nigerian Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) to ensure that it anticipates and responds to disasters such as this, more efficiently than it did, in the current situation.
“My government will ensure that we are never again be this badly prepared or lacking in the infrastructure and response protocols to forestall devastation of this nature from natural disasters such as this.”
He also said that if elected as president in the presidential elections next year, he would commit to completing the Dasin-Hausa Dam in Adamawa State to manage the release of excess water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
“I shall also commit to working with state governments like Bayelsa to build the required flood management infrastructure such as levees and dykes in key locations in Rivers Niger and Benue Basins.
“The dredging of the rivers and estuaries through which inland waters empty into the sea will help in stemming flooding in the Niger Delta areas.
He urged the country to activate measures to forestall food shortages and further increment in the already high cost of food that is expected to follow the loss of hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmlands.
“And to forestall the recurrences of such devastating levels of flooding, the government must build the critical infrastructure required to contain excess water along the banks of the Rivers Niger and Benue.
“The change in climate is a pointer to every human community to be circumspect in leadership recruitment, as Climate change is a convergence between politics and nature.
He further said that what he witnessed in Bayelsa was as disheartening as reports from other places.
“On behalf of my delegation, I wish to make a donation of N50 million to the victims in Bayelsa State”, Atiku added.
Diri thanks donors
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri expressed appreciation to Atiku and others that have supported the state as it grapples with the raging floods.
Diri, who spoke during the weekly state executive council meeting in Yenagoa, said the support had helped the state in its recovery process.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as assuring that funds and items received will be published in line with the transparent posture of his administration.
The governor said he was grateful to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for his philanthropy and empathy shown to people of the state.
He also expressed gratitude to the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, for visiting the state last weekend, during which he pledged to support victims of the flood.
Similarly, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who visited one of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp at Igbogene with members of his cabinet on Wednesday, also donated N100 million on behalf his state government.
Read Also: Kano flood and Tinubu’s philanthropic gesture
Diri equally appreciated an illustrious son of the state, Dr. Azibapu Eruani, who he said pledged during his visit to support victims of the flood with food items worth N350 million.
The state’s helmsman commended Dr. Eruani for the support and called on other privileged Bayelsans to emulate him by identifying with the state in its trying time.
The governor also read a letter from his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commiserating with the state and donating the sum of N50 million to tackle the floods.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to appreciate those who have showed themselves as our true friends and brothers. We called for help and God has sent helpers. We say thank you to those that have come through for us so far. We will publish all donations received.”
Donors have done well, says flag bearer
Similarly, the People’s Democratic Party House of Representatives flag bearer for Nembe-Brass Federal Constituency, Marie Enenimiete Ebikake also expressed gratitude to those helping the state cope with the flood.
In a statement made available yesterday, she lauded Abubakar and Emmanuel for their donations of cash, food, and relief materials to flood victims.
Marie, therefore, appealed to Buhari for immediate intervention and to find a lasting solution to the food.
She said: “But, in as much as what was given, the extent and gravity of the damage caused by the flood to life and property in the state, demand more of such support from other well-meaning Nigerians.
NEMA airlifts relief supplies
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force, has started the airlift of relief supplies to flood victims in Bayelsa.
The items received were 1,400 bags of 10kg rice, 1,400 bags of 10kg beans, 1,400 bags of 10kg maize and 75 (20kg) bags of salt.
Non-food items received were 8,000 pieces of nylon mats, 1,000 pieces of mosquito nets, and 600 cartons of soap, among others.
The operation started with the airlift of the items from Benin by the Nigerian Air Force 107 Air Maritime Group.
Bauchi: NEDC donate relief materials
In Bauchi, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has donated relief materials to the affected residents.
Governor Bala Mohammed while receiving the relief materials at the Government House commended President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for the intervention and also for stabilizing the North East sub-region that has been ravaged by insurgency.
Rivers IDPs get relief materials
The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) distributed relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by flood in various communities in Rivers.
The Interim Administrator of PAP, retired Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu delivered the relief items to the state task force on flood management in a short ceremony in Port Harcourt.
The materials were 300 cartons of Indomie noodles, 40 bags of 50kg rice and 30 bags of 100kg garri.
NOA seeks support
The National Orientation Agency, NOA has appealed to both private and corporate citizens to come to the aid of flood victims.
Its Director-General, Dr. Garba Abari, said the country is in a dire humanitarian crisis, which needs all hands to be on deck so as to restore the dignity of victims of the flood.
Story By
Omobola Tolu-Kusimo, Simon Utebor, Yenagoa, Ibrahim Adam, David Adenuga, Bauchi, and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja