The Federal Government, on Sunday, said the floods ravaging parts of the country have so far claimed 603 lives.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja.
She said, “As of today, the number of persons affected nationwide is 2,504,095. The number of those displaced nationwide is 1,302,589; the number of injuries is 2,407, and the number of deaths is 603.
“The number of houses that are partially damaged is 121,318; the number of houses that are damaged is 82,053; farmlands that are partially damaged, are 108,392 hectares, while damaged farmlands are 332,327 hectares. This is the statistics of today, October 16, 2022.”
She said the government was concerned that despite all our efforts of averting the consequence of the 2022 flooding season, the country had unfortunately recorded the loss of over 600 lives.
She added, “We must initiate a bilateral discussion with authorities in Cameroon next month (November 2022) on the periodic opening of the Lagdo Dam.
“The delegation to Cameroon is to be led by the Permanent Secretary (Humanitarian Ministry) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be requested to facilitate it.”
Farouq insisted that there was enough warning and information about the 2022 flood, stressing that states, local governments and communities appeared not to take heed.
“Thus the meeting agreed to form a high-powered delegation to state governors to advocate for more commitment to strengthen state response mechanisms as stipulated in the National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan,” she stated.
She added, “Stakeholders will work within their respective mandates to prevent deaths due to flood or other health-related diseases that are the aftermath.
No fewer than 30 persons are feared dead in Engenni community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State following the floods ravaging the area.
