The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has called on federal and state authorities to take immediate, decisive action following a flood alert issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which warned of high flood risks across 19 states.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the environmental rights group expressed concern over the recurring climate-induced disasters in Nigeria, particularly flooding, which it said has been worsened by changing rainfall patterns, poor urban planning, weak drainage systems, and inadequate emergency preparedness.
“Floods in 2022 and 2023 displaced millions, claimed lives, and destroyed farmlands, homes, and critical infrastructure. We cannot afford another preventable tragedy,” FENRAD stated.
The organisation urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), and other relevant bodies to activate contingency plans, pre-position relief materials, and sensitize at-risk communities. It also called for the identification of temporary shelters ahead of possible displacement.
Transparency in Flood Fund Management
FENRAD pressed the National Economic Council (NEC) to ensure transparency, accountability, and traceability in managing federal intervention funds for flood response. It stressed that past allocations to states were often mismanaged due to poor oversight.
The group recommended that all allocations be publicly disclosed and tracked through mechanisms involving civil society and anti-corruption agencies to ensure funds reach intended beneficiaries.
Policy Recommendations
FENRAD outlined measures to improve flood management, including:
- Strengthening early warning systems and inter-agency coordination between NiMet, NIHSA, NEMA, and SEMAs.
- Auditing past flood response expenditures and sanctioning erring officials.
- Updating urban planning laws to stop construction on waterways and floodplains.
- Engaging vulnerable communities through awareness campaigns and capacity-building.
- Integrating climate change adaptation into disaster risk management frameworks.
Reaffirming its readiness to collaborate with government agencies, civil society, and communities, FENRAD said it remains committed to promoting sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s environmental and climate challenges.
