In light of the recurring flood disasters experienced almost yearly in the country, the Federal Ministry of Environment has committed to making more efforts to take a proactive and sustainable approach to flood risk management.
The permanent secretary of the ministry, Mahmud A. Kambari, who said this, yesterday at the Technical Committee Meeting (TCM) on the Development of the National Flood Insurance Policy and Implementation Framework in Abuja, also called on stakeholders and communities to transition from taking reactive measures and be proactive in tackling flood risk.
Kambari explained that the establishment of a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), as encapsulated in Berthing 4 of the National Erosion and Flood Control Policy (NEFCOP), is a cornerstone of this strategy.
He said the programme would provide financial resilience by offering a safety net for individuals, businesses, and communities, enabling swift recovery from flood-induced losses and alleviating government expenditure by reducing the fiscal burden on federal and state resources allocated for emergency relief and reconstruction. The permanent secretary added that the programme would institutionalise risk-sharing and coordinate flood risk mitigation among the federal, state, and local governments and private sector stakeholders, particularly floodplain developers.
Kambari outlined the objective of the technical committee meeting going on to include taking comprehensive analysis into underlying causes of recent flood, engage with stakeholders as well as formulate policies that will craft a robust insurance policy that addresses the unique challenges posed by flooding in Nigeria and implement roadmap that will establish clear timelines, responsibilities, and monitoring mechanisms to translate policy into actionable outcomes.
While reiterating that the gathering is not only timely but critical, he stressed, “As climate change, rapid urbanisation, and land use pressures increase the frequency and severity of flood events across Nigeria, the need for a coordinated and sustainable approach to managing flood risks has become more urgent than ever. Our rural communities, coastal zones, and low income populations continue to bear the brunt of these disasters, with devastating economic, social, and environmental consequences”.
“The escalating frequency and severity of flood events demand immediate and decisive action. As participants in this TCM, your expertise, insights, and commitment are invaluable. Let us approach this task with unwavering commitment and purpose, knowing that the lives, livelihoods, and future resilience of our communities depend on the solutions we craft today”, he said.
