Nigeria's NEC Approves N83.2 Billion for Flood and Climate Emergency Interventions

Nigeria's National Economic Council (NEC) has approved N83.21 billion, representing 50% of the requested amount, for the Anticipatory Action Task Force (AATF) to mitigate anticipated flooding and climate-related emergencies. This marks a significant shift from the country's traditional reactive disaster response model to a more preventive approach.

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I want you to know that this is the first time, as a nation, that we are taking proactive steps. Most times, we wait until floods have caused significant damage before taking action.

During the 158th NEC meeting in Abuja, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the council emphasized the importance of proactive measures in disaster management. Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State highlighted that this is the first time Nigeria is taking such preemptive steps, moving away from waiting for disasters to cause significant damage before acting.

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This time, under the leadership of the chairman of the council, the vice president, we are taking proactive measures to mitigate the potential impact of flooding, which has become a recurring challenge.

NEC recognized the growing threat of annual flooding and agreed that government actions must transition from reactive to preventive strategies. The council stressed that it should not always be seen as reacting to disasters after they occur but should actively work to prevent or mitigate their impact. Additionally, Vice President Shettima urged state governments to partner with the federal government to address logistical and compliance issues that impede farm produce from reaching global markets.

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Council underscored the importance of the Anticipatory Action Task Force in addressing disasters and climate-related emergencies across the country.