By Stella Odueme
As parts of efforts to address Nigeria’s recurring menace of flooding in the country, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, chaired the inaugural meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on the Comprehensive Evaluation of Dams in Nigeria on Wednesday in his office in Abuja.
Prof. Utsev recalled that during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on September 23, 2024, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, approved two key initiatives: the establishment of a Disaster Relief Fund and the formation of the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on the Evaluation of Dams.
These initiatives aim to mitigate the devastating effects of flooding and other national disasters while ensuring swift, coordinated assistance to affected communities.
“You recall that at the recent Federal Executive Council meeting held on Monday, 23rd September, 2024, the unfortunate tragedy that affected parts of Maiduguri and environs in Borno State was critically reviewed.
“The meeting saw the need to set-up a Disaster Relief Fund to help address instances of national disaster(s) without recourse to subjecting the victims to untold hardship before putting measures in place to mitigate its impact and possibly guard against future occurrences,” he noted.
The Minister highlighted the committee’s critical objectives, which include evaluating the structural integrity and physical condition of dams across the nation, alongside a comprehensive assessment of the socio-environmental impacts of these dams on local communities.
He added that the findings of the committee will inform the development of a robust action plan to address challenges related to dam infrastructure.
“The Technical Committee has the overall primary objectives of evaluating the physical condition of dams, assessing the social and environmental implications of dams on local communities, and draw-up a program to address the challenges of Dams in the country. The Committee’s specific Terms of Reference are equally provided to guide our discussions today, ” he stressed.
He also emphasized that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to proactive disaster risk management and long-term resilience, ensuring the nation is better equipped to handle climate-induced and infrastructure-related hazards.
He announced plans to establish a Project Delivery Unit (PDU) to provide technical assistance to the committee.
“The Ministry in due course will co-opt technical experts that help the Committee discharge its assignment effectively. You all have in your folders copies of the Comprehensive List of Dams and Status of Critical Dams in Nigeria as Annexure I & II respectively. Also there is a draft Concept Note Framework that would help us articulate our report at the end of the assignment (Annexure III). This will require your input.
As part of modalities to carry out the assignment, the Ministry has equally considered the creation of a Project Delivery Unit (PDU) to provide technical support to the Committee throughout the period of its assignment.
“I am optimistic that this meeting will give us a clearer guide on delivering this assignment.I sincerely wish us fruitful deliberations, as we collaborate to come up with strategies that would safeguard our people and environment from related disaster(s).”
At the meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, stressed the importance of the newly established committee in addressing and mitigating future flood disasters in Nigeria.
He assured all stakeholders that the committee’s work will follow a strict timeline, reflecting urgency and responsibility.
He expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his swift and decisive intervention, which demonstrates the President’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of the Nigerian people and resilience against natural disasters.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, emphasized the importance of the funding provided under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative for enhancing dams and irrigation infrastructure nationwide.
He urged all stakeholders to collaborate to ensure the success of this critical initiative, emphasizing that collective support is essential to achieving sustainable improvements.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, reiterated the government’s commitment to disaster preparedness, announcing that funding has been allocated to every state of the federation for flood abatement initiatives. This funding will enhance preparedness for flood events and support the implementation of effective mitigation strategies.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi; Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Abbas Lawal; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Representative of the Minister of Works; Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo; and Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo Esq.; ¿along with the Permanent Secretary, Richard Pheelangwah.
