House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness has said that Nigeria’s preparedness ahead opening of Cameroon’s Lagdo dam is commendable

Chairman of the committee, Rt.Hon. Joseph Bassey, pointed that massive flooding ravages neighbouring states in Nigeria whenever the dam is opened creating other emergency issues.

He stated this while on an oversight visit to the federal ministry of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, in Abuja.

“We are here as part of the committee’s oversight of the humanitarian activities of the Ministry.

“No one can predict disaster, but preparedness determines how effectively the consequences can be managed. This is why the house committee applauds the humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation minister for her readiness for humanitarian crises,” Bassey said.

On her part, the minister, Dr. Betta Edu, said the ministry is committed to drive the vision of President Bola Tinubu to reduce the suffering of Nigerians, ensuring that Nigerians are taken out of humanitarian crises and poverty” and improve coordination and preparedness for the flooding that will likely follow the opening of the Lagdo Dam or any other flooding which could lead to humanitarian crises.

She notes that prevention of loss of lives and properties are key hence, advocates for the construction of buffer dams in the country to curtail excessive flooding.

“We must include this in the 2024 budget, she said.

Dr. Edu disclosed the Federal Executive Council’s, (FEC), approval of flooding response documents and urged the committee to be part of the team for field operations to enable them t see things for themselves, a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Rasheed Zubair, contains