The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has called on the Federal Government to do all within its power to avert a repetition of the flooding that befell parts of the country in 2012.
This is contained in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Emma Eneukwu, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Eneukwu said the call was based on the recent prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), about the expected volume of rainfall in 2013.
“The attention of ANPP has been drawn to media reports about the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET)’s 2013 rainfall prediction, which it presented to the public over the weekend in Abuja.
“According to the agency’s Director-General, Dr Anthony Anuforom, this year’s rainfall pattern will not be different from what the country witnessed last year.
“He specifically mentioned that the annual rainfall amount was expected to be above normal in comparison to 2012 in the Northern states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Zamfara and their environs.
“We in ANPP commend NIMET for introducing zonal seasonal rainfall prediction in order to reach the grassroots; we maintain that this warning should not be taken lightly by the states and Federal Governments,” he said.
He described last year “havoc-wrecking floods in several parts of the nation” as fresh in the minds of Nigerians, especially the victims.
Eneukwu recalled that the nation watched in shock as homesteads and farmlands were swept.
He, however, expressed concern over the slow response of the nation to the menace that followed the natural disaster..
“ Worst still also, is the sudden release of excess water from the Lagdo Dam by the Cameroonian authorities, which displaced many communities in the country with colossal loss of property and some lives,” he said.
The party’s image maker said the party was also concerned because floods posed threat to the nation’s food security and to the farmers.
Eneukwu stressed the need to be proactive and for government and other relevant organisations to avoid the renewal of rural-urban migration, unemployment, insecurity and general depression caused by the floods.
“It is a globally accepted truth that climate change will worsen environmental disasters and, therefore, nations are concentrating on mitigation and adaptation of strategies in order to curb the impacts.
He called on the Federal Government to begin the construction of more buffer dams as a matter of urgency, to create a sustainable water disposal infrastructure.
ANPP further urged that the construction should not be limited to the states affected by the floods but also in other states of the federation.
“As a party, we believe that our dear nation has the human and a natural endowment to effectively fight environmental disasters; all that is needed is for our government to be proactive in handling issues.