President Goodluck Jonathan

By Muhammad Bello

A multi-lateral approach has been evolved by the federal government to give succour to victims of perennial flooding while several measures will be taken to mitigate the disaster in the future.

President Goodluck Jonathan in a broadcast to the nation Tuesday morning announced the release of billions of naira to government ministries and agencies to tackle the effect of the environmental crisis, ravaging large parts of the country.

The President also enumerated the allocation of funds to flood ravaged states categorically: Category A-N500m, Category B- N400, Category C-N300m and Category D-N250m.

Another step taken by the government was the naming of a National Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation charged with the responsibility of raising funds to assuage the suffering of flood victims in the country.

An early morning statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati stated that the committee to be co-chaired by Dr Aliko Dangote and Mr Olisa Agbakoba will work "in support of Government’s efforts to provide urgent relief for victims of recent floods across the country."

With Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. as Chief Fund Mobiliser, the committee has more than 30 members.