BY ANTHONY OCHELA, ABUJA
In its avowed commitment to tackling Nigeria’s flood-related challenges, the Federal Government’s Inter-Ministerial Technical Committe on Dam Evaluation, chaired by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday.
At the meeting convened to assess the safety and functionality of dams nationwide, Prof. Utsev underscored the recent review of the devastating floods in Maiduguri and surrounding areas which was discussed during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on September 23rd, 2024.
FEC had at the meeting emphasized the urgent need for a Disaster Relief Fund to enable a swift response to national disasters in order to minimize the hardships experienced by affected communities.
In a Press Statement after Wednesday’s meeting, Funmi Imuetinyan, the Director, Information and Public Relations of the Ministry of Water Resources and Environment, said the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee, approved by President Bola Tinubu, has been tasked with evaluating the structural integrity of Nigeria’s dams, assessing their social and environmental impact on local communities, and formulating a comprehensive plan to address the challenges posed by these critical infrastructures.
Prof. Utsev highlighted the committee’s critical objectives, which include evaluating the structural integrity and physical condition of dams across the nation, alongside a comprehensive assessment of the socio-environmental impacts of these dams on local communities.
Prof. Utsev added that “the findings of the committee will inform the development of a robust action plan to address challenges related to dam infrastructure.”
The Minister also emphasized that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to proactive disaster risk management and long-term resilience, ensuring the nation is better equipped to handle climate-induced and infrastructure-related hazards.
He announced plans to establish a Project Delivery Unit (PDU) to provide technical assistance to the committee.
At the meeting, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, stressed the importance of the newly established committee in addressing and mitigating future flood disasters in Nigeria.
He assured all stakeholders that the committee’s work will follow a strict timeline, reflecting urgency and responsibility.
Malagi expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for his swift and decisive intervention, which demonstrates the President’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of the Nigerian people and resilience against natural disasters.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, emphasized the importance of the funding provided under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative for enhancing dams and irrigation infrastructure nationwide.
He urged all stakeholders to collaborate to ensure the success of this critical initiative, emphasizing that collective support is essential to achieving sustainable improvements.
On his part, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, reiterated the government’s commitment to disaster preparedness, announcing that funding has been allocated to every state of the federation for flood abatement initiatives.
According to Edun, this funding will enhance preparedness for flood events and support the implementation of effective mitigation strategies.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Utsev; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi; Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Abbas Lawal; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Representative of the Minister of Works; Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo; and Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo; along with the Permanent Secretary, Richard Pheelangwah.
