Despite Billions Released, Nigeria Still Not Ready For Floods — Ex-NEMA Boss
Nigeria has sufficient data and early warnings to prepare for flooding, but poor use of available funds and information continues to leave vulnerable communities exposed to displacement, destruction of homes and disruption of livelihoods, a former acting Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Air Vice Marshal Akugbe Iyamu (retd.), has said.
Iyamu, who spoke on the country’s recurring flood crisis, questioned how the Ecological Fund and other funds released for disaster preparedness had been used, arguing that the resources should be deployed to prevent flooding rather than respond after communities have suffered damage.
His comments come amid recurring flooding in several parts of Nigeria, with heavy rainfall causing damage to homes and infrastructure and disrupting livelihoods, our correspondent reports from the Arise News interview on Friday.
According to Iyamu, changes in rainfall patterns should have provided sufficient warning for authorities to strengthen flood preparedness.
