Shettima: Tinubu Ready to Improve Lives of Vulnerable Nigerians

•Receives presidential committee’s report on flood response harmonisation

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and his administration’s focus on improving the socio-economic conditions of Nigerians living in the most vulnerable communities in the country.

Shettima, according to a release issued by his Media Aide, Stanley Nkwocha, spoke yesterday when the Presidential Committee on Flood Mitigation, Adaptation, Preparedness and Response submitted a comprehensive report to him at the State House, Abuja.

Describing the report as a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Vice President stated categorically that the Tinubu administration was focused on improving the socio-economic conditions of Nigeria’s most vulnerable communities.

The report outlined a roadmap for improving the country’s flood response and preparedness.

The report is based on the findings of three previous and ongoing assignments, including the National Economic Council Ad hoc Committee Report on Flood (ongoing), the National Flood Emergency, Preparedness and Response Plan (2022), and the Report of the Presidential Committee on Development of Comprehensive Plan of Action for Preventing Flood Disasters in Nigeria (2022).

At the formal presentation of the committee report, Shettima gave a definite position to speculations about the reality or otherwise of the impact of climate change in Nigeria.

He said: “Climate change is real and the existential threat it poses is glaring at us every day, from the extreme events being witnessed across the globe to the devastating climate facing Africa.

“Africa is disproportionately impacted and bringing it home to Nigeria, we have been witnessing drought, flood, etc. The saying on the climate crisis is that it is either too much (floods), too little (drought) or too polluted.

“We are all gathered to find a solution for the ‘too much’ scenario that is flooding. Flood events have, in the past, affected communities with devastating impacts on livelihoods, people and the environment with loss of lives witnessed in some cases such as the last flood witnessed in 2022.”

The Vice President noted that in drafting the report, the committee was guided by science and forecasts from agencies such as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

The report, according to him, identifies vulnerable communities prone to flooding and presents a roadmap with recommendations to address the issue.

Commending the committee for its hard work and dedication, Shettima said, “I would like to start by thanking this committee for the hard work, commitment and dedication put in to develop the report.

“I particularly thank everyone for the time put in to deliver this assignment within the 7 days that I directed when we first met at this very chamber, which meant you all had to work through the weekend. The mandate was clear and it was delivered.”

He also directed the committee to present the report to the National Economic Council (NEC) for further deliberations and possible ascension by the council.

Earlier, in his presentation, Director General of the National Water Resources Institute, Prof Emmanuel Adanu and a member of the Presidential Committee and Chairman of the Technical Working Group spoke about the major causes of flooding in Nigeria and the strategies for mitigating its impact.

According to him, the ultimate objective of the work of the committee was “to protect the nation from the devastating impacts of floods, safeguarding human lives and property while promoting the sustainable conservation and enhancement of water-related ecosystems.”

Adanu, however, noted that beyond the efforts of stakeholders in the public and private sectors, individuals and communities were required to pay attention to issues relating to drainage maintenance and healthy environmental practices.