President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered heads of all federal government ministries, departments and agencies whose functions are relevant to flood prevention and control to ensure that every necessary action is taken to prevent a recurrence of the floods which wreaked havoc in many parts of the country last year.
Addressing ministers and officials at a meeting which he called at the Presidential villa Monday to review ongoing flood containment measures, President Jonathan warned that he will not tolerate any excuses for a repeat of the flooding disasters which displaced various communities across the country in 2012.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Reuben Abati, quoted the president as saying that “we have no excuse to be caught unprepared again after the floods of last year,” adding that he expected all relevant MDAs to be very proactive in speedily implementing required flood prevention and management measures.
Mr. Jonathan also directed the inter-ministerial committee on flood prevention and control which includes the ministers of environment, national planning, water resources, finance, health, transport and aviation to establish effective liaison with governors of all flood-prone states and ensure that there is proper coordination between federal agencies and the states in the implementation of flood control measures.
The President also stressed the need for greater public enlightenment and advocacy to ensure compliance with measures that have been evolved to prevent a recurrence of devastating floods across the country. (NAN)
