President Muhammadu Buhari has blamed people's propensity to build on waterways, their disregard for early warnings from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and weather changes brought on by climate change as the causes of floods that have so far affected 33 of the nation's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement released on Sunday and signed by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, President Buhari expressed sorrow over the devastation brought on by floods in Bayelsa State. He also extended his condolences to all those impacted by the natural disaster as well as the families of the victims.
According to released reports by the State Government, 700,000 persons have been displaced in about 300 communities and villages in five of the State’s eight local government areas that were submerged in water due to rains causing the floods.
While the authorities in the State are taking steps to help people hit by the floods, the President has directed that all federal agencies dealing with rescue and disaster management offer all needed assistance to Bayelsa.
President Buhari blamed buildings on water channels, disregard for early warning by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and the changes to weather caused by climate change as chiefly to blame for the floods that have so far hit 33 of the nation’s 36 states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory which has not been spared either.
The President also directed all concerned to work for the restoration of normalcy throughout the affected parts of the federation