Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources, has stated that it is not yet necessary to declare a state of emergency in the country due to the flood disaster.
Speaking on Channels TV on Thursday night, October 20, Suleiman stated that the relevant authorities have not stated that they are incapable of dealing with the country’s flood crisis, so he sees no reason for a state of emergency to be declared at this time.
This year’s flood disaster has killed over 600 people and displaced over 2 million.
“It is certainly an emergency situation but it depends on what you call a ‘state of emergency’.
In my opinion, we have not reached a point where the relevant emergency management authorities are unable to deal with the situation. That is something I am not aware of. I’m confident that if the situation had exceeded our capabilities, a state of emergency, in whatever form that may take, would have been declared in the country.”
The main cause of the flooding, he claims, was unprecedented rainfall. He claimed that rainfall in the North East had been four times higher than normal. He stated that the government has an early warning system that is communicated through the Annual Flood Outlook, but that the report could not have predicted the severity of this year’s flood.
“It’s been a terrible one. Our hearts go to the victims of this flood. Basically the entire country has been affected.” he said
Watch a video of him speaking below…
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cj8uUaHjcuT/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=deff5c33-47d9-4acf-94a6-550e9e81ab5a