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Work With Government To End Flooding, Obasanjo Advises Nigerians

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for a coordinated approach towards reducing the negative impacts of the floods as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency … Continue reading Work With Government To End Flooding, Obasanjo Advises Nigerians


Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for a coordinated approach towards reducing the negative impacts of the floods as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), saying that all hands must be on deck to tackle this challenge.

The former president was speaking in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital at a one day workshop on building a coordinated approach to flood disasters in Nigeria organized by the Centre for Human Security (CHS), an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo presidential library (OOPL).

He said, “We are here to find a lasting solution to flood disasters in this country; I will not say that we are fools because already we are learning from our mistakes. The good thing about flood is that even though it’s a natural occurrence it is reasonably predictable and it’s seasonal and you also can predict places that may be affected.

“Normally, flood should not be a disaster; it is only when we are caught unawares that it becomes a disaster since it is seasonal and reasonably predictable.

“Why not therefore adequately prepare ourselves for it; I believe that the aspect of how to prepare for it is what brought us here.’’

Mr. Obasanjo said that the Federal Government and United Nations agencies were working together on how to manage flood-related issues. He said the government should not be left alone to prevent and avoid floods.

He said the states, local governments, civil society groups and corporate organisations had crucial roles to play.

“So, I believe strongly that all these groups and individuals as well as corporate organisations are also important in tackling flood disasters,’’ he said.

The Director of CHS, Peter Okebukola, had said that the workshop was aimed at building more collaborative and proactive approaches for the upcoming flood season and beyond.

He said that a strategy document would be developed and distributed after the workshop.