Home NEWS Buhari Blames Some States Over Devastated Floods For Ignoring Experts’ Warnings

Buhari Blames Some States Over Devastated Floods For Ignoring Experts’ Warnings

File photo of Houses submerged in flood in Kogi State.

President Muhammadu Buhari has blamed some states over the devastation of floods in their States, following continuing heavy rainfall over the last weeks, for ignoring expert warning before now.

According to the President who expressed sympathy to families and other victims, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), had before now, issued warning of flooding in specific territories and communities, but that such warnings “sadly were not only unheeded but the letters remain unacknowledged until this day.”

The President, in a statement today, August 18, by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, regretted that as much as 32 States have so far been affected with thousands of people, homes, farm and other properties involved.

“I am constantly monitoring the situation and we will ensure that all possible help is extended to victims.”

President Buhari called for better coordination between the Federal authorities, including the NEMA and state governments to develop a culture of respect for weather forecasts, and to act upon early warnings to avert the yearly occurrence of disasters.

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He commended the few states that activated their response mechanisms following the warnings and did well, thereby averting the consequent unnecessary damage and losses.

In order to carry all the states along in the administration’s determination to put an enduring system for forecasting of floods and other natural disasters through the use of technology and improved coordination, the President has approved the convention of workshop by NEMA in the coming weeks that will bring all states’ emergency response agencies to the table.

Having taken stock of the situation throughout the country, the President has also given assurances that all possible support will be extended to the victims in line with shared responsibility between the two tiers of government.

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