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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

NEC approves N83.21bn for anti-flood task force, slashes budget by 50%

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Nigeria's National Economic Council approved N83.21 billion for an anti-flood task force, cutting the initial request by 50%.
  • The approved funds will support anticipatory interventions against flooding and climate-related disasters.
  • The decision aims to shift from reactive to proactive disaster management, with a focus on historically flood-prone states.

Nigeria's National Economic Council has approved N83.21 billion for an Anticipatory Action Task Force designed to mitigate flooding and other climate-related disasters. The approval, made at the Council's 158th meeting, represents a 50% reduction from the N166.42 billion initially requested by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning.

The purpose of the request was to seek the consideration of council for the approval and disbursement of funds through the Federal Account Allocation Committee to facilitate the implementation of the approved Anticipatory Action Task Force interventions aimed at mitigating the impact of anticipated flooding and other climate-related agencies across the country.

— Bassey OtuCross River State Governor Bassey Otu briefing State House correspondents after the National Economic Council meeting.

Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over the meeting in Abuja. Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu explained that the funds would be disbursed through the Federation Account Allocation Committee to support proactive interventions. He highlighted the increasing frequency of flooding, noting the government's move towards timely mitigation efforts.

We know that flooding now is almost an occurring decimal, and the Federal Government were very happy that we are putting some retroactive steps to make sure that the mitigation comes on in time to save the states.

— Bassey OtuCross River State Governor Bassey Otu explaining the rationale behind the anti-flood task force.

Otu emphasized that this initiative marks a significant shift from the country's usual reactive approach to disasters. "Most of the time, we’ve waited till flood has done its damage before we act, but this time around we are taking proactive steps to mitigate the possibility of the flood," he stated. The Council acknowledged the task force's importance in addressing national emergencies and stressed the need for prompt action.

Council noted the importance of the AATF in addressing disasters and emergencies across the country.

— UnknownA statement from the National Economic Council meeting.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang added that this approval constitutes the first phase of a broader flood management strategy. The Council resolved to approve half of the requested budget for now, with plans to review the framework in future meetings. This approach reflects a resource-conscious initial step, balancing the urgency of the request with fiscal prudence.

Council also underscored the fact that NEC must act promptly and must not be seen as always reacting to situations rather than being proactive when these disasters occur.

— UnknownA statement from the National Economic Council meeting.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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