NEC Approves N83.2bn To Tackle Flooding, Climate Emergencies

The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved N83.2 billion for interventions under the Anticipatory Action Task Force (AATF) to mitigate the impact of flooding and other climate-related emergencies across the country.

The approval was granted on Thursday at NEC’s 158th meeting in Abuja following a presentation by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on the need for proactive measures against annual flooding, especially during the rainy season.

Council members stressed the importance of moving away from the usual reactive approach to disaster management and supporting early interventions to reduce losses from natural disasters.

Vice President Kashim Shettima said the success of government policies should be measured by their impact on ordinary citizens, including farmers, manufacturers, vulnerable groups, unemployed youths and future generations.

He added that no Nigerian should be left behind in the country’s development efforts and called for policies that protect the most vulnerable.

On economic growth, the Vice President urged the country to end its dependence on exporting raw materials while importing finished products.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State said NEC approved N83.21 billion, representing 50 per cent of the N166.42 billion requested by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

He said the council recognised the increasing threat of annual flooding and agreed that preventive measures were necessary.