In a decisive step toward tackling Nigeria’s flood-related challenges, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, today participated in the inaugural meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on the Evaluation of Dams. The meeting, chaired by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engineer Joseph Utsev, was convened to assess the safety and functionality of dams nationwide.
The committee’s formation follows the devastating floods in Maiduguri and surrounding areas, which were reviewed during the Federal Executive Council meeting held on September 23, 2024. The council, recognizing the increasing frequency and severity of such events, emphasized the urgent need for a Disaster Relief Fund to facilitate rapid response efforts and minimize the hardships experienced by affected communities.
Approved by President Bola Tinubu, the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee has been tasked with a broad mandate. This includes evaluating the structural integrity of Nigeria’s dams, assessing their social and environmental impact on local communities, and formulating a comprehensive plan to ensure the functionality and safety of these critical infrastructures. The goal is to strengthen Nigeria’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities, particularly in light of the increasing risks posed by climate change.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister Edun stressed that while the immediate focus is on the recent flooding in Borno State, the government has long been preparing for such eventualities. Earlier in the year, funding was allocated to all states to implement measures aimed at reducing the impact of flooding.
Minister Edun also revealed that President Tinubu has established a separate committee to create a Disaster Relief Fund specifically to address national emergencies. This new initiative will include leadership from the private sector and is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve national disaster preparedness and resilience.
As Nigeria continues to face significant climate-related challenges, the government’s renewed focus on the evaluation and maintenance of dams highlights the critical role infrastructure plays in mitigating the devastating impact of natural disasters on communities.
