The federal government is currently reviewing the National Policy on Erosion Control and Flood that is all inclusive and in line with global best practices.
This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote at the opening of a two-day workshop on flood prevention, mitigation and preparedness in Nigeria.
Represented by the Director of Human Resource Management, Mr. Daniang Peter, Mrs. Odusote stated the policy which is aimed at the evolution of sustainable systems for managing flood, will involve the use of proactive tools such as Flood Risk Assessment (FRA), Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) and community Based Flood Early Warning System (CB-FEWS).
According to her, the policy is expected to focus on preventive measures involving watershed management in order to address deforestation in agricultural and infrastructural development.
She therefore called on stakeholders to be alive to their responsibilities towards the prevention and management of floods maintaining that more attention should be given to preventive measures such as a holistic approach to watershed management.
“To ensure sustainability, the National Policy on Erosion Control will encourage participatory approach that will involve all stakeholders including community members and all relevant sectorial ministries as well as appropriate legal frameworks and funding mechanism.
“The 2012 and 2018 flood disasters which resulted in the deaths of about 363 Nigerians and the displacement of 3,871,500 people living within the River Niger basin triggered policy shift in government agencies and especially the federal ministry of Environment,” she explained.
Earlier in a goodwill message, Prof. Sani Abubakar Mashi, Director General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency averred that even with the early warning tools issued annually and updated periodically by both Nimet and NIHSA, flooding has persisted over the years as the most devastating climate change phenomenon that has become worrisome to government at all levels and has caused immeasurable grief to many communities and families.
In his remarks the former Director General of The National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, Air Vice Marshal Audu Bida urged the government to always deploy experts in the management of flood to guide against colossal loses.
