Nigeria's Flood Preparedness Lacking Despite Funds, Former NEMA Chief

Nigeria has enough data and early warnings to get ready for flooding, but poor use of funds and information is leaving many communities at risk. This was stated by Air Vice Marshal Akugbe Iyamu (retd.), a former acting Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency.

Iyamu talked about the ongoing flood problems in Nigeria. He raised concerns about how the Ecological Fund and other money meant for disaster preparedness have been used. He believes that these resources should focus on preventing flooding instead of reacting after the damage is done.

His comments come as flooding continues in various parts of Nigeria. Heavy rainfall is causing damage to homes and infrastructure, disrupting people’s lives, according to a report from Arise News on Friday.

Iyamu noted that changes in rainfall patterns should have warned authorities to improve flood preparedness. “The problem with us here is data for us to work with. Over time, the rainfall moved from between 1,150 mm and 1,202 mm to 2,000 mm and 4,000 mm. That’s quite a lot. That should have warned us.

“Between 2023 and 2025, 109 billion Naira was released for the Ecological Fund. What have the states used it for? The Ecological Fund was very, very definitive when pious people brought it on board in 1982. It was 1%. Then it was raised to 2% by President Ibrahim Babangida, and to 3% by President Olusegun Obasanjo. What are they using it for?”

Iyamu explained that the main issue is not a lack of money but how the funds meant for ecological challenges are used. “Our problem is not the finances; it is the way the finances are directed.

“We have to reset what the Ecological Fund is meant for, as enshrined in the Constitution. Section 20 of the Nigerian Constitution states clearly what ecology looks like. It is not pocket money for states. This is not what Nigerian citizens deserve,” he said.

He also criticized bureaucracy and a lack of transparency and accountability in managing funds meant for flood prevention and preparedness. He pointed out that states often treat ecological funds as part of their regular budgets instead of using them specifically for disaster management.

“There is time to prepare for all this. You understand? Flooding now, before it gets to this stage, countries are using barriers. The Anticipatory Action Taskforce. You have 83.2 billion Naira; what are you using it for?

“They are creating a space, a space of bureaucracy. You must, first of all, create transparency, then create accountability. If you are creating a space for the Anticipatory Action Taskforce, how are you going to monitor the money? Ecological Fund, how are you going to monitor the money? If you give the money, the sub-nationals believe that this money is part of the state allocation, and they don’t separate it.”

Abuja Flood Concerns

On flooding in Abuja, Iyamu said the damage to the city’s original drainage and relief-line designs has made the situation hard to fix. He stated, “The Abuja case is irreversible damage. There’s nothing you are going to do about it again. The destruction is irreversible.

“Abuja was made as a purpose-built city. Purpose-built city, that means you build it from the beginning. Kenzo Tange, who designed Abuja, said Abuja can never flood. Can never! Because the relief lines were 100 meters, you can have six trailers passing through. But they have reduced it to about 30 meters, some even 10 meters. How are you not going to have flooding?”

He called for a return to Abuja’s original master plan, especially its drainage and water flow channels. “What needs to happen now is to go back to the original master plan,” he stated.

For other parts of Nigeria, Iyamu said the Ecological Fund should be used for preventive measures, like building sandbanks and riverbanks, instead of just for relief after disasters.

“For the rest of the country, now is the time to use the Ecological Fund. It is not pocket money. Not for relief.

“First of all, let us harmonize our response agencies. Instead of having NiMet, NIHSA, all of them, if they are coming under the Ministry of Environment, let them come under the Ministry of Environment.

“Two, the Ecological Fund, for preparation like this, whether you are building sandbanks, riverbanks, or whatever, that’s also there. Then, the Anticipatory Action Taskforce needs to do its work. You have 83.2 billion Naira released by the National Economic Fund, it needs to be used,” he concluded.