Passion for Life Initiative, a nonprofit organization, called on the Federal and State Governments to form task committees on urgent steps to avert impending flood disasters on Tuesday in light of the disastrous floods that Nigerians have had to endure.
The founder and chairman of PFLI, Duchess Daughter Mabinton, noted that the rains are already here and that there is no need to wait any longer to take prompt action to prevent the loss of lives and property while speaking with newsmen about the need for governments at all levels and other stakeholders to work diligently to ensure the fundamental issues are addressed proactively before the flood.
Mabinton also advised that task committees must be established in all States that are vulnerable to flood catastrophes. These committees’ duties will include developing strategies and urgent actions to guarantee that people and their property are relocated to safer locations before the flood.
She said: “We are living witnesses of the deadly 2012 flood that forced 1.3 million people from their homes, claimed 431 lives, and submerged thousands of hectares of farmlands.
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“And recently the 2022 flood disaster surpassed that of 2012 in which over 600 people were killed and property and businesses worth millions of Naira were destroyed, whereby Nigerians are yet to recover from that overwhelming devastation.
“We advise that Federal and State Governments set up what we call ‘Task Committees’ with achievable Terms of Reference, ToR, before, during, and after the flood.
“This committee should not be politicized but based on professionalism, integrity, and patriotism with the objective of sustainability.
“They are to be saddled with the responsibility of mapping out strategies and urgent measures to ensure the people and their property are moved to safer places ahead of the flood. This will go a long way to mitigate the impact of the flood on Nigerians.”
However, she pointed out that it is very important for funds to be made available to the committee which will also include credible and relevant Civil Society Organisations, CSOs.
She added that there is a need to have special funds set aside and approved by the State Houses of Assembly including the National Assembly for the committees to function properly.
“We also call on the governments to ensure the Task Committee has members from credible Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, for the avoidance of politicizing the aim the committee is inaugurated for, and this will ensure checks and balances for optimal performance that will be a lasting solution to the challenge of flooding”, she said.
In the meantime, she (Mabinton) pledged the support of her organization for early preparation to protect Nigerians’ lives from the anticipated flood, noting that the organization has long supported communities across the nation by spending millions of Naira on things like women’s empowerment, drilling facilities for boreholes, renovating school buildings, donating educational supplies to classrooms, and providing scholarships for the needy.
Story adapted from Vanguard
