In the face of the devastating flood that has hit Nigeria, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu asserted that declaring a state of emergency over the ugly development across the country was not yet necessary.
The Minister who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today, posited that emergency agencies are not yet overwhelmed hence his submission.
Africa Daily news, New York understands that no fewer than 600 human beings have reportedly died and millions displaced due to flooding-related disasters this year with many parts of the country still submerged under water.
‘It is certainly an emergency situation,’ Mr Adamu said, when pressed on why the government had yet to declare a state of emergency. ‘But it depends on what you call a ‘state of emergency’.
Read Also: Real Reason Many States Are Flooded In Nigeria – FG
He went on to add; ‘We have not reached a situation, in my view, where the relevant emergency management authorities are not being able to deal with this situation. I’m not aware that has happened.
‘I’m sure if the situation was beyond our capacity, certainly a state of emergency, whatever that may encompass, would have been declared in the country.’
The Minister said the main cause of the flooding was unprecedented rainfall.
He said rainfall in the North-East had been four times above the normal average.
Also, Adamu pointed out that the government has an early warning system communicated through the Annual Flood Outlook but added that the report could not have predicted this year’s intensity.
“It’s been a terrible one,” he said. “Our hearts go to the victims of this flood. Basically the entire country has been affected.”
The Lagdo dam in Cameroon had been cited by some as a major cause of the flooding but the Minister disagreed.
He said the release of water from the dam “plays a very little role” in the current disaster.
