233 local government areas within 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at a high risk of flooding in the country, Minister of Water Resources Suleiman Adamu has warned
The minister made the disclosure during the presentation of the 2022 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, in Abuja.
The outlook, themed “Flood management and food Security”, is targeted towards flood early warning, and forecasting in order to minimise the adverse effects of flood on lives.
“Some 233 local Government Areas in 32 states of the federation and the FCT fall within the highly probable risk areas, while 212 Local government areas in 35 states, including FCT, fall within the moderately flood risk areas.
He said Benue, Cross Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna and Kano, Adamawa, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi and Bayelsa fall within the highly flood risk areas.
Director general of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Clement Nze, said the overall objective of the event was to sensitise planners, decision and policy makers, farmers, stakeholders and the public.
He called for preventive measures to improve on safety and reduce damages to lives and properties.
“We believe that this will go a long way in creating awareness, enhancing planning and promoting sustainable socio-economic development through effective flood risk mitigation and management,” he said.
