Tag: flood

The Federal Government has  called for the promotion of a flood-resilient environment across the country to prevent the dangers associated with flooding.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mr Mahmud Kambari,  made the call yesterday  during the 2025 National Flood Awareness Campaign in Nyanya, Abuja.

“Today’s campaign aims to educate citizens on flood risks and strategies for building resilience,” he said.

Kambari, who was represented by Mr Usman Bokani, Director of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management in the ministry, noted that flooding remains one of Nigeria’s most frequent and destructive natural disasters.

He added that floods displace thousands, damage infrastructure, and disrupt economic activities.

“The 2025 Flood Awareness Campaign is not merely an event; it is a movement towards a safer and more sustainable future.

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“This initiative is a vital part of our collective efforts to protect lives, livelihoods, and the environment from the devastating impact of flooding.

“The Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with relevant agencies and stakeholders, remains committed to mitigating these risks through proactive measures, public awareness, and community-driven solutions,” Kambari assured.

He explained that, in recent years, climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of floods across Nigeria.

“Unpredictable rainfall patterns, blocked drainage systems, deforestation, and poor urban planning have all increased the vulnerability of communities such as Nyanya.

“The 2024 flood reports recorded significant losses in several states, reflecting the need for early warning systems, effective waste management, and sustainable land-use practices.

“We provide timely flood forecasts to at-risk communities in collaboration with other relevant government agencies.” he added.

Kambari advised Nyanya residents to avoid indiscriminate waste disposal, warning that blocked drainages are a major cause of urban flooding.

“Avoid building on waterways and floodplains, comply with town planning regulations, pay attention to early warnings, evacuate when instructed, and report illegal environmental practices.

“Plant trees and preserve green areas, as they serve as natural defences against floods.

“To our traditional leaders, we appeal for your support in enforcing environmental laws within your communities,” he urged.

Earlier, Mr Bokani reaffirmed that flooding remains one of Nigeria’s most crucial environmental challenges, leading to loss of lives, displacement, and economic setbacks.

“In recent years, urban areas like Nyanya have experienced increasing flood risks due to climate change-induced heavy rainfall, blocked drainage systems from poor waste disposal, unregulated settlements, and construction on floodplains.

He criticised harmful environmental practices, stressing that they must stop.

“We are starting with Nyanya, but we plan to reach other areas such as Kuje, Lugbe, Kubwa, and Bwari from now until July, as the rains continue.

“We are also working with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) to prevent indiscriminate refuse dumping by cart pushers.

“The ministry hopes to extend the flood awareness campaign to major cities such as Kaduna, Ibadan, Lagos, and Kano, where high population density and poor waste management culture increase flood risks,” Bokani added.

A sudden flood has caused widespread destruction in Cegama village and surrounding communities in Mokwa Local Government Area, Niger State, severely impacting dry-season rice farmers and wiping out vast farmlands.

The flood, triggered by the release of water from a nearby dam, surged through the rice fields, destroying months of hard work and investment.

Reports indicated that several farmers, who had traveled from states including Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, and Maiduguri, now face the harsh reality of rebuilding from scratch.

Farmers who spoke to our reporter described the loss as catastrophic, estimating it in trillions of naira. 

They lamented that the floodwaters arrived too rapidly, leaving them with no time to salvage their crops.

“We have lost crops and equipment worth trillions of naira. Irrigation systems were damaged, and some fields remained submerged days after the flood struck. For many, the water came too quickly to salvage anything.

“We’ve not slept in days. Everything is gone,” one of the affected farmers, Ibrahim Ndakosu lamented. “This is not just about money, it is our sweat, our lives.”

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Cegama had become a hub for dry-season rice farming, attracting farmers from across the north. 

Community members called on government authorities at all levels to intervene. 

They appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, the Ministers of Agriculture and Water Resources, and other relevant agencies to urgently provide relief and find lasting solutions.

“This is a disaster we cannot ignore,” a village elder said. “Our people are hungry, hopeless, and in pain.”

The Chairman of Mokwa Local Government and the Niger State arm of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPADEC) are also being urged to assess the damage and assist the affected farmers.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed an emergency response team to Kogi state following the recent flooding of some communities.

The director general of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said the agency has also deployed mobile water purification equipment to help in providing emergency clean water for the impacted families. 

As of 14th October 2024, 1,659 persons have been affected, 517 persons have been displaced, 1,601 houses have been affected, and zero lives have been lost.

Across the country, over 1.2 million persons have been affected by the flood in 33 States.

Data by NEMA indicates that 33 states have been affected in 208 Local Government Areas LGAs.

Also, 1,279,094 have been affected, 713,691 displaced persons, 317 lives lost, 2,852 injuries sustained, 117,071 houses affected, and 180,828 cultivated farmlands affected.

According to the agency, the team deployed comprises staff with specialization in search and rescue to provide technical support to the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other stakeholders in conducting rescue and evacuation operations, including assessments in the affected communities.

NEMA had alerted states identified to be at risk of flooding to be prepared ahead of any eventuality.

Umar while alerting the states also announced that the Agency had activated all its zonal, territorial, and operations offices and prepositioned critical equipment for timely response, search and rescue as well as evacuation of persons to safer higher grounds.

Read Also: NEMA hands over 18,653 bags of rice to six states affected by flood

The frontline states identified to be at risk of flooding are; Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, and Kwara.

In a statement by NEMA on Wednesday, it explained that with the activation and deployment, NEMA offices nationwide and technical officers will work with the relevant State Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to establish Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) for coordination and activation of local actors for the emergency response.

The emergency response to be carried out by the agency according to the agency is: “Advocacy to communities at risk, evacuation planning, identification of safe high ground for temporary shelters and prepositioning of equipment for evacuation and rescue.

“Sector leads have also been alerted to provide priority needs to the impacted persons in the event of displacement of persons into Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and other safer locations.

“It added that it is coordinating with the Military Disaster Response Units (DRU), Nigeria Police, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) to deploy their Disaster Response personnel, Police Marine and Disaster Management Units operatives respectively where necessary and the Nigerian Red Cross Society to also activate its volunteers.

The DG of NEMA advised residents in flood-prone areas, especially communities along Rivers Benue and Niger to remain vigilant and cooperate with emergency service providers as the Agency continues to monitor the situation closely.

A Chinese firm, the China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) at the weekend donated over 11 tons of food supplies to the Borno State government for distribution to victims of the recent flood in the state.

Maiduguri, the Borno state capital and environs on September 10, experienced its worst flood in 30 years, resulting in many deaths, destruction of properties and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of residents.

The food supplies were presented during a ceremony in Maiduguri, attended by Governor Babagana Zulum, heads of relevant government departments, and representatives from the Chinese firm.

Liu Shuai, a representative of CMEC, said the initiative is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility and reflects its commitment to the welfare and well-being of local communities in Nigeria. 

“As a central Chinese enterprise that has been operating in the Nigerian market for many years, CMEC has consistently monitored the livelihoods of local residents and actively fulfilled its social responsibilities,” Liu said.

Read Also: Flood destroys over 80 homes in Plateau

According to Liu, CMEC quickly mobilized support for its local staff right after the flood and launched a special assistance plan for local government and flood victims. 

“In addition to the food supplies, CMEC will continue to increase its investments and actively participate in post-disaster reconstruction efforts to assist the government and people of Borno State in overcoming these challenges as swiftly as possible,” he added.

In his remarks, Governor Zulum expressed gratitude for the support provided by CMEC. 

He assured that his administration would complete post-disaster reconstruction on time.

The governor highlighted the significant role of the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP) project, undertaken by CMEC, in the socio-economic development of the local community. 

He expressed hope for more extensive cooperation with CMEC in the future.

• Mutfwang donates N180m relief materials to Borno flood victims
• Kwara urges riverine communities to relocate •Ekiti to sanction developers building on waterways

Flood has displaced over 80 households in Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

This followed a downpour from Friday till yesterday.

The Nation learnt that the flood displaced many residents, causing panic and confusion about where they could find safety.

Addressing reporters, a resident of Angwan Bwarat in Sabon Gida community of the local government, Nandul Solomon, said: “The flood didn’t claim lives, but because it was huge, it displaced over 80 households. The displaced persons are currently staying with neighbours, friends, and relatives.

The Development Secretary of Sabon Gida, Mr. Yintim Yohanna Nimilam, expressed despair about the situation.

He said many homes were submerged, adding: “We appeal to the government and relevant authorities to come to our rescue.”

Also, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has donated medical consumables and a variety of food items valued at N180 million to flood victims in Borno State.

Presenting the materials on behalf of the governor at the Government House in Maiduguri, his deputy, Mrs. Ngo Josephine Piyo, assured those impacted by the flood that the Plateau State government would not abandon them in their time of grief and hardship.

The deputy governor said the government’s support demonstrated a shared sense of humanity and compassion towards the flood victims.

Read Also: Flood: Kogi govt opens alternative route in Ganaja

Accompanied by traditional rulers, the clergy and senior government officials, Mrs. Piyo presented the items to the flood victims on behalf of her state government.

The items included medical consumables worth N20 million, four trailers of bottled water, 100 bags of kulikuli, 100 bags of garri, 100 bags of millet and sorghum, 100 bags of maize and 20 cartons of powdered milk.

Others included 25 bags of sugar, 100 bags of beans, 50 bags of salt, 50 Jerry cans of palm oil, 50 cartons of groundnut oil, 5,000 loaves of bread and accessories, 200 cartons of biscuits and 50 cartons of liquid detergent valued at N160 million.

Conveying Governor Mutfwang’s message to the Borno State flood victims, Mrs. Piyo said: “The news of this tragic event reached Plateau State with deep concern. We are painfully aware of the widespread devastation caused by floods, which have ravaged entire communities, displacing families and destroying homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure.

“The people of Borno Staten are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, and our hearts go out to all who have been affected.”

Also, the Kwara State government has warned residents of riverine communities across the state to move to higher and safer grounds.

It said doing so would avert loss of lives and properties as the state envisaged downpours.

The government said it was deeply concerned about an impending flood, adding that it was taking proactive measures to ensure public safety.

Environment Commissioner Nafisat Buge expressed the government’s empathy to families that were affected by floods.

She said: “Our heart goes to families that are worst hit by this natural phenomenon; those who have either lost properties or their beloved ones.

“…To avert loss of lives and property, we urge residents to quickly take the following safety steps by relocating to higher grounds, avoid travelling when it is raining and follow evacuation instructions by the Ministry of Environment and the State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) that will be moving round to provide support to the affected communities.”

Also, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has warned developers against building on waterways.

The governor said this had been the most identifiable snag sabotaging government’s strides to tame flooding.

Oyebanji spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while inspecting some sections of the town and suburbs ravaged by flood on Saturday.

The governor sympathised with the victims, who are predominantly students, and reminded the residents that indiscriminate blocking of drains and building of structures on waterways was sabotaging government’s efforts against flooding.

Oyebanji, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, explained that as part of the preparedness of his administration ahead the rainy season, it had dredged and channelised flood-prone sections of Ado-Ekiti and suburbs.