The Nigerian Transportation Commissioners Forum (NTCF) has sympathised with residents and government of states affected by recent flooding in the country.
Executive Secretary of NTCF, Mrs Chinwe Uwaegbute, in an on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, in Abuja described the incident as sad.
Uwaegbute while commending efforts of the Federal and State governments, emergency agencies and other relevant stakeholders, however, called for more collaboration and support by Nigerians to care for victims of the incident.
“We wish to sympathise with the governors of Kogi, Delta, Anambra, Nasarawa, Edo, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe and Adamawa, among other states, on the flooding incidents.
“This unfortunate incident has resulted in untold suffering and hardship for many Nigerians directly and indirectly.
“For instance, the recent Lokoja flood has brought back long queues as seen in almost all fuel stations in the city centre of Abuja and other northern states as distributors find it difficult to transport the product within stipulated days.
“Many Nigerians have been displaced, propertys and many lives lost due to this tragedy.
“The forum is creating partnerships with the various state governments to help cushion the impact on victims and foster long-lasting solutions to the tragedy.
“We are appealing to the Federal GovernÂment to work with the affected states to ensure that displaced Nigerians can get relief materials and possibly return to normal life,’’ she said.
The executive secretary urged residents residing around water boarders to adhere strictly to instructions from emergency and safety agencies.
She also urged relevant agencies to seek better ways for grassroots awareness and sensitisation, which should be done regularly, especially through the rainy season to avoid such accidents.
In August, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) had predicted that the prevailing weather pattern in Nigeria would cause above-normal rainfall in about 19 states between August and October this year.
According to the prediction, above-normal rainfall conditions are expected over the northern states such as Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Bauchi, Kebbi and Gombe, as well as northern Kaduna and Adamawa.
Whereas normal to above-normal rainfall conditions were expected over most parts of the south-western states, including Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, and parts of Ekiti, and Edo.
They had advised state and National Emergency Management Agencies to intensify adaptation, mitigation, and response mechanisms to curb the impending danger.
By Lucy Ogalue
