Urges President Tinubu to declare State of Emergency Over Severe Flooding.
By correspondent in Minna.
Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, Managing Director of the National-Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Commission (N-HYPPADEC), has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in response to severe flooding that threatens more communities.
Yelwa emphasized that while flooding is a natural disaster, it could be mitigated through strategic use of the floodwaters, such as creating irrigation outlets and boosting fishing industries.
Yelwa briefed journalists on the recent flooding that has resulted in the loss of seven lives and extensive property damage in Niger State.
He noted that this year’s flooding has caused nearly 200 deaths and affected 208,000 people across 28 states, with significant damage to homes and farmlands.
According to him, 80% of the worst-hit states are N-HYPPADEC member states, primarily due to their locations and electricity generation activities.
Preliminary reports indicate that in Benue State, 634 communities and nearly 30,000 farmlands have been impacted, while in Kebbi State, 6,959 households and about 10,000 farmlands have been affected.
Yelwa cautioned that uncontrolled flooding could threaten the federal government’s food security but also suggested that with appropriate management, such flooding could offer benefits through irrigation and enhanced fishing opportunities.
He revealed that 40 to 50 percent of N-HYPPADEC’s allocation has been directed towards addressing this year’s flooding and called for a state of emergency to prevent further devastation.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
