He said this, followed about N2.67 trillion economic losses incurred by the Federal Government and destruction of farmlands due to flooding in 2012.
Nze disclosed this, at the stakeholders’ Evaluation /Validation Workshop on the Flood Vulnerability Studies and Hydro-geological Mapping of Nigeria Project in Hydrological Area V1 (Western Littoral Project) report released by Mecon Geology and Engineering Services Limited in Lagos.
To reduce the ferocity and destruction caused by natural disasters, he said, the agency commissioned Mecon Geology and Engineering Services to carry out detailed hydrogeological studies and flow regimes of major rivers across the country.
He stated that this was with a view to identifying causes of flooding and measures for reducing flood incidences, as well as mapping out flood inundation areas across the country for better river basin planning and flood plain management.
Explaining that the project covered all the states of the South West and parts of Edo and Delta states, Nze noted that hydrogeological maps were important because they depict the extent of flood vulnerability or flood plain by showing boundaries of catchment areas of lower category in the main river basin.
Speaking, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Tuni Bello, said the study carried out on flood vulnerability and hydrogeological mapping in the western littoral states would help to develop scientific understanding and are also suitable tools for introducing the importance of groundwater resources in the political and social development sphere.
Bello, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Nurudeen Shodeinde, said the report would help the state in better understanding the best ways to tackle flooding and other hydrological and hydrogeological challenges in Lagos with regard to its low nature.
