The Labour Party’s flagbearer, Peter Obi, has expressed concern about the floods that have ravaged several parts of the country.
He predicted that the devastating floods would have “deleterious” effects on food production, as well as raise food prices at a time when the country is dealing with rising food insecurity due to banditry and insurgency.
Several states in the country have been submerged in water in recent weeks due to extensive flooding, which has killed hundreds of people and displaced thousands more.
Reacting to the disaster in a post on his verified Twitter handle on Tuesday, Obi said that the devastating enormity of the flooding and the damages it has wreaked is mind-boggling.
While sympathizing with those directly affected by the loss of lives and properties, the former Anambra State governor appealed to the Federal Government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to expeditiously assist victims of the natural disaster.
The post read, “The devastating enormity of the 2022 flooding and the damages it has wreaked on several states, namely, Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa and Nasarawa, is mind-boggling. So far, over 600 lives were reportedly lost, and over 2 million people displaced.
“I sympathize with those directly affected by the loss of lives and properties. At a time our country contends with rising food insecurity due to banditry and insurgency, the ravaging floods will have deleterious consequences on food production, as well as orchestrate higher food prices. I call on FGN and NEMA to expeditiously assist those affected by this natural disaster.
The Federal Government had earlier faulted state governments for not heeding early warnings issued by its agencies.
Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services (NIHSA), Clement Nze, had blamed state governments for disregarding “adequate and timely warnings” and weather advisories issued by the various Federal Government agencies.
“If our predictions were heeded by relevant sub-nationals, we will not have been where we are today,” Eze said.
“But I am believing that following this year’s flood disaster across the land, the consciousness of relevant actors especially sub-nationals will be awakened to do the needful once they receive all these advisories.
The devastating enormity of the 2022 flooding and the damages it has wreaked on several states, namely, Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa and Nasarawa, is mind boggling. So far, over 600 lives were reportedly lost, and over 2 million people displaced.
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) October 18, 2022