As heavy rains and floods continue to affect various parts of Nigeria, the federal government has inaugurated an inter-ministerial technical committee focused on dam evaluations. This initiative, approved by President Bola Tinubu, aims to assess the physical conditions of dams nationwide to ensure their safety, usefulness, and positive impact on surrounding communities.
The committee, chaired by Engr. Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, includes several key ministers: Wale Edun (Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy), Mohammed Idris (Minister of Information and National Orientation), Atiku Bagudu (Minister of Budget and Economic Planning), Dave Umahi (Minister of Works), Nuhu Ribadu (National Security Adviser), and Musa Dangiwa (Minister of Housing and Urban Development).
During the inaugural meeting, Utsev stressed the committee’s critical role in mitigating life-threatening impacts on the population, environment, and economy. He highlighted the committee’s responsibilities, which include conducting comprehensive evaluations of dams, proposing necessary interventions, and protecting communities affected by dam-related hazards.
Utsev referenced the recent Federal Executive Council meeting, which discussed the tragic flooding in Maiduguri and Borno State, underlining the need for a Disaster Relief Fund. This fund is intended to address national disasters effectively and alleviate the hardships faced by victims before long-term solutions are implemented.
The primary objectives of the new technical committee encompass evaluating the physical condition of dams, assessing their social and environmental implications for local communities, and developing a program to address the challenges associated with dams in Nigeria.