Home Blog Page 844

Lagos releases 30 prison inmates

Beloved JOHN
-
0
Lagos releases 30 prison inmates

THE Lagos Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says the Lagos State Government has pardoned 30 inmates.

The inmates were pardoned by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kazeem Alogba, and have, consequently, been freed.

The spokesperson of the Command, Mr Rotomi Oladokun, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, July 22.

According to him, the state government pardoned the inmates to reduce the number of people in the correctional centres in the state.

Most state correctional centres in Nigeria, including in Lagos state, are either overcrowded or at total capacity.

According to an NBS report, overcrowding in Nigeria’s correctional facilities happens due to inmates serving time without being sentenced.

The report also highlighted flaws in Nigeria’s criminal justice system, with cases frequently dragging on for years without resolution.

“The inmates released are those who committed minor offences such as assault, disorderliness, low-level shoplifting, road traffic offences, theft, and burglary, among others.

“There is, however, a need to free more inmates as the state custodial facilities are housing over 8,000 inmates, which is above their capacities,” Oladokun said.

Nigeria’s correctional centres can hold 50,083 inmates, but they currently have 70,056 inmates.

According to the World Prison Brief (WPB), an institution collating data on prisons worldwide, Nigeria is the 27th country with the highest number of prisoners globally.

Plateau records first two cases of anthrax in two communities

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
Plateau records first two cases of anthrax in two communities

THE Plateau state government says it has recorded two suspected cases of the anthrax disease in two communities in the state.

Anthrax, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, is a severe disease that can affect both human beings and animals, including wild animals and livestock like cows, pigs, camels, sheep and goats.

A statement by the state’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, on Saturday, July 22, disclosed that the Epidemiology unit of the state Ministry of Health and the Veterinary unit of the Ministry of Agriculture had been directed to address the outbreak.

The name of the two communities were, however, not mentioned in the statement.

According to the statement, samples had been taken to the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, for thorough assessment and further investigation.

The government also debunked a story published in the social media by an unnamed national newspaper that over 1,000 cows died due to a strange disease in the Mangu local government area of the state.

The statement read, “The said story is far from the truth, as it does not reflect the reality of happenings in the communities mentioned conspicuously in the story. For the avoidance of doubt, there is no such incident in any part of Mangu Local Government Area and the government has not received information about the mass death of animals from any of the communities mentioned in the reports.

“The story is based on hearsay, and there is no credible source that has authenticated the story, which has created tension in the affected communities.

“The government, therefore, advises the general public, particularly members of the said communities, to disregard the misleading story and assured Plateau people that a team of epidemiologists has been sent to the affected communities on the instruction of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to ascertain the truth of the story to prevent loss of lives.

“However, there are two suspected cases of anthrax disease in two communities in the state. The samples have been taken to National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, for thorough assessment and further investigation. While waiting for the outcome, Government would like to make it clear that there was no mass death of 1,000 cows in the mentioned areas as reported in the story.”

The state government, while advising members of the public to avoid contact with infected livestock and animal skins, urged residents to continue with their normal activities and report any strange signs or any unusual activities for swift intervention by the relevant authorities.

On Monday, July 17, The ICIR reported that Nigeria recorded the first suspected cases of anthrax in Niger state. 

The outbreak was recorded in a multi-specie animal farm in Gajiri, Niger state.

Hike in university tuition: Students’ body threatens protest

Bankole ABE
-
0
Hike in university tuition: Students’ body threatens protest

THE National Association of University Students (NAUS) has threatened to embark on a mass protest over the recent hike in tuition in tertiary institutions.

This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday, July 22, titled, ‘Warning Against Tuition Fee Increment’,  signed by both the NAUS chairman and national deputy president, Eruobami Ayobami and Babalola Daniel, respectively.

“It is with great displeasure we write to condemn the act of the Federal Government as well as higher institutions who have decided to increase the price of tuition in this current economic disintegration,” NAUS stated.

The association warned that any legislation enacting tuition increase in higher institutions would be met with immediate protests from the students population.

“We want to reiterate that as students, we won’t hesitate to come out en masse to protest against any form of implementation that poses a threat to the students’ community,” it added.

The body assured students of its commitment to always protect their interests.

NAUS advised the various higher educational institutions to rethink their plans to raise tuition as doing so would harm the academic system and students.

The ICIR reports that the management of the University of Lagos, Lagos State, has increased fees for undergraduate students in the institution.

The university management explained its decision to hike tuition for new and returning undergraduate students in a  statement it issued via the institution’s website on Friday, July 21.

It attributed the development to what it described as the “prevailing economic realities and needs” to meet its obligations to students and staff.

The statement noted that the adjustment would take effect from the first semester of the 2023/2024 academic session.

The students of the institution had been paying N19,000, but the management has fixed new fees at N190,250 for students studying Medicine, while for courses that require laboratory and studio, students are to pay N140,250.

Additionally, the Federal government has increased tuition for new students at Federal government colleges, also known as Federal Unity Colleges, through the Ministry of Education, to ₦100,000.

The fee increase was announced in a circular titled, ‘Approved Fees/ Charges for Federal Unity Colleges (1st Term) for new students’, signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir.

According to the statement, new students are expected to pay ₦100,000 instead of the old N45,000.

Heavy rainfall expected in FCT, neighbouring states on July 23 – FEMA

Bankole ABE
-
0
Heavy rainfall expected in FCT, neighbouring states on July 23 – FEMA

THE Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said heavy rainfall is expected in the nation’s capital, Abuja, and in neighbouring states on Sunday, July 23.

FEMA said it has, consequently, placed its emergency response team on high alert over the anticipated rainfall.

This was revealed in a statement released in Abuja on Friday, July 21 by the agency’s head of public affairs, Nkechi Isah, on behalf of the agency’s director general, Abbas Idriss.

READ ALSO:
[Flood series] Mapping out areas in Abuja prone to flooding

Flooding: Kogi govt reacts to ICIR’s report on inadequate preparations

Properties destroyed as flood submerge houses in FCT community

Benue, Kogi States mostly unprepared, despite early flood predictions

According to the statement, Idriss said the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) had predicted that moderate-to-heavy rain would fall on the Sunday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its bordering states.

He added that portions of Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Plateau, and Taraba were also expected to have moderate-to-heavy rains.

He said that in addition to thunder and lightning because of the anticipated intense downpour, NiMET also issued warnings about potential flash floods, riverine flooding, strong winds, and soil erosion.

The statement anticipated displacement of people due to floods, outbreaks of water-borne diseases and damages to infrastructure.

Idriss stated that the organisation had alerted its search-and-rescue team to ensure a prompt and efficient emergency response.

The D-G claimed that in order to achieve the best results, he had also ordered an update on the organisation’s flood preparedness.

He urged locals to heed the early warning and refrain from driving or wading through standing water while it was raining.

He also advised residents to clear all blocked drains, and to dial the 112 emergency toll-free number in the event of an emergency.

The ICIR reported that the FCT had a flood incident in June 2023 following a heavy downpour that aggravated a flood drowning many houses in an estate. 

In the flood disaster, which had become a regular incident, 166 houses were submerged, as many residents were displaced from their homes. The ICIR captured it here and here.

Last year, flooding displaced  1.4 million people from their homes across the country, and more than 500 people were killed. 

The Federal government blamed the catastrophe on a combination of extraordinary rainfall brought by climate change, and on too much water being released when the Lagdo dam in Cameroon was opened, which poured into the River Niger and its tributaries.

Palliative: N8,000 is lot of money to many poor families – Gov. Sule

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
Palliative: N8,000 is lot of money to many poor families – Gov. Sule

THE governor of Nasarawa state, Abdullahi Sule, has described the proposed N8,000 palliative by the Federal government as “a lot of money” to many poor Nigerians.

Sule said this in an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, July 21.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had proposed a cash transfer of N8,000 to 12 million poor households (60 million Nigerians) in Nigeria for a period of six months to cushion the harsh effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.

The initiative came under attack from many individuals and groups, who regarded it as too small to cushion the harsh results of the subsidy removal.

Tinubu bowed to pressure on Tuesday, July 18, ordering the review of the proposed scheme.

Reacting to the development, Sule insisted that the proposed N8,000 would help in reducing the impact of the subsidy removal.

“We were sharing only N5,000 and, believe me, there were so many people that were waiting for that N5,000 every month. Indeed there were some communities that were able to do some kind of contributions and they were able to do a lot in their various communities.

“So, N8,000 may not be so much money to some people, but it is a lot to so many other people who are from very poor families that don’t see N8,000 every month. The only thing is that let us identify those families,” Sule said.

Benue to prosecute workers collecting double salaries

Ijeoma OPARA
-
0
Benue to prosecute workers collecting double salaries

THE Benue State government says civil servants receiving multiple salaries will be reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and prosecution.

Kula Tersoo, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the state governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed this on Friday, July 21.

Tersoo said some of the workers were receiving salaries from up to three sources within the administration, including the Universal Basic Education Board, state and local governments.

“We already know some of them and they have been removed from the entire payroll. We are waiting for them to report that they have not been paid and that would be them reporting themselves.

“Those who were collecting double salaries as senior staff will be handed over to the EFCC for investigation and possible prosecution,” Tersoo said.

On Thursday, July 20, Governor Alia revealed that, at least, 2,500 ghost workers were discovered on the payroll of the state, according to a statement by Tersoo.

The discovery was made during a payroll audit and staff verification exercise carried out by the state, which led to a delay in payment of workers’ salaries for two months.

“He identifies ghost workers, ghost schools, double dipping, unlawful employment, salary padding, payment to dead or retired individuals, unlawful replacement, and inflation of the wage bill, as some of the payroll infractions discovered from the audit.

“He assures that workers who were successfully screened will receive their salaries before the end of this week, noting that government is not only fishing out ghosts workers and removing the padding associated with payroll fraud, but is also putting in measures to ensure the systems are protected, going forward,” Tersoo noted.

Alia also disclosed that the state saved N1.2 billion as a result of the verification exercise.

In June, the state suspended 23 local government chairmen and councillors  allegedly for their involvement in mismanaging public funds.

Palliatives: Kaduna state governor faults cash transfer scheme, calls it a scam

Bankole ABE
-
0
Palliatives: Kaduna state governor faults cash transfer scheme, calls it a scam

THE Governor of Kaduna state, Uba Sani, has faulted the cash transfer policy of the Federal government, describing it a scam.

Sani said cash transfers should not be something to be talked about at this period.

The governor declared this while speaking on Arise Television’s News Night on Friday, July 21.

He said, “That cash transfer, in my opinion, is a scam. Completely is a scam. I can be very certain about that, because who are you transferring the money to?

“Let me give an example. Go and check the current statistics. As chairman of the Senate committee on Banking for four years, I oversight Central Bank, I oversight all the commercial sectors of our economy for the last four years, and I looked at the statistics.

“About 70 to 75 per cent of the rural population in North West are financially excluded completely.”

He urged that the people in the rural areas be captured in the scheme.

“We are talking about important people in the society. They do not even have bank accounts, so who are you transferring the money to?” he asked.

He called on development partners like the World Bank to put in more money towards bringing more people into the financial services and target the vulnerable.

“Let’s put more money to ensure that we open accounts for them, get them involved. If we don’t do that, no matter what we do and however you do it, money will go to the wrong people. That’s the fact,” the governor declared.

The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday, July 20, dumped the national social register used in the former president Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for palliatives.

The council mentioned a lack of credibility as the reason for discarding it.

The decision was part of the outcome of the meeting by NEC members at the State House on palliatives for the people to ameliorate sufferings arising from the recent fuel subsidy removal.

The council, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, advocated initiating a system for cash transfers to states based on their social records, as well as a six-month cash reward programme for public employees.

But NEC suggested that state governments undertake cash transfer programmes using state-generated social registers.

The council further suggested that the implementation be based on each state’s specific capacity and priority.

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Federal government to implement policies and consider other options to lessen the economic impact of the fuel subsidy removal.

In a statement on Friday, July 21, CAN also appealed to Nigerians to “work together to build an economy that is inclusive, resilient, and offers opportunities for every Nigerian to thrive.”

Why we increased tuition fees – Unilag

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
Why we increased tuition fees – Unilag

THE University of Lagos (UNILAG) management has explained its decision to hike tuition fees for new and returning undergraduate students.

A  statement the management ssued via the institution’s website on Friday, attributed the development to what it described as the “prevailing economic realities, and needs” to meet its obligations to students and staff.

The statement noted that the adjustment in fess would take effect from the first semester of the 2023/2024 academic session.

Part of the statement read: “After careful deliberations with its stakeholders (students, parents/guardians, staff unions, alumni among others), the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Management has reviewed the obligatory fees (mandatory charges for an academic session/year) of new and returning undergraduate students of the University.

“The adjustment in fees, which will take effect from the 1st Semester, 2023/2024 Academic Session, is in view of the prevailing economic realities and the need for the University to be able to meet its obligations to its students, staff, and municipal service providers, among others.

“It is also pertinent to note that the University has not increased its obligatory fees in recent years. Management, therefore, seeks the kind understanding and support of students and other stakeholders with the assurance of its commitment towards ensuring that students get the best learning experience.”

The breakdown of the adjusted obligatory fees shows that fresh students who study courses without the use of laboratories and studios are expected to pay N126,325, while students whose courses require the use of laboratories or studios will pay N176,325.

The new students are also expected to pay N10,000 and N20,000 for the toxicology test for screening and utility charges, respectively.

Fees for returning students range from N100,750 to N140,250, depending on whether the course requires the use of a laboratory and studio. The returning students are also expected to pay N20,000 as utility fee, while every final year student is expected to pay N30,000 as convocation fee. 

Total fee returning students (who are not in the final year) studying laboratory and studio-required courses will pay is N120,750, while final year students of that category are expected to pay N150,750.

For students (not in final year) who study courses that require laboratory use, the total fee they will be paying is N160,250, while final year students in that category will pay N190,250. 

Also, the payable fee for returning medical students falls within the range of N210,250 to N240,250. This fee covers the N20,000 utility fee and the N30,000 charge for convocation ceremonies.

We can’t live on philanthropism – Unilag VC

The Unilag Vice-Chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola, said in an interview with the Premium Times that the university had been recording deficits of about N1 billion annually for the past three years.

Ogunsola said, “The truth is that the charges had been going up for quite some time but we kept managing in spite of the inflation. And, honestly, in the last three years or thereabouts, we have been having deficits of about N1 billion annually. We have been cutting down our costs to give quality education. But we can’t live on philanthropism.

“Our expenditure has continued to outstrip our income. Our roles as lecturers shouldn’t be to be going around on how to make money. We are supposed to be thinking, doing research, and engaging in serious community services. We are losing lecturers per second because the university system does not work.”

She explained that the process of introducing new fees was prior to the subsidy removal, as the university had commenced engagement with relevant stakeholders, including students and parents, since January.

On May 1, 2023, The ICIR had reported how the University of Abuja had increased its tuition fee.

According to the report, the returning students in the Arts and related faculties in the university would pay N82,000, while their medical counterparts pay N225,000.

The fees differed from the acceptance fee of N30,000 and other departmental and Students’ Union Government (SUG) fees.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, had warned the students to resist the urge to disrupt the peace in the school because of the hike. 

He said any student caught engaging in violent activities on campus would face the penalty, including expulsion.

He warned, “The repercussion is swift and merciless. If anyone is caught anywhere destroying anything or simply disturbing the peace of our campus, I promise you I will descend heavily on such a person by showing him or her a way out.”

About three weeks later, Cyprian Igwe, an undergraduate student of the Sociology department at the University of Abuja, was rusticated from the institution allegedly for urging colleagues to dialogue on the school’s hike of its fees.

Igwe and Oladeru Samson Olamilekan, the Students’ Union’s director of Sports, were “banned from all the university campuses pending the determination of the case” for allegedly calling for a protest.

Palliatives: CAN urges FG to look beyond cash transfers

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
Palliatives: CAN urges FG to look beyond cash transfers

THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Federal Government to implement policies and also consider solutions beyond cash transfers to reduce the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.

CAN in a statement on Friday, July 21, also proffered some possible solutions to mitigate the effects of the fuel price hike, appealing to Nigerians to “work together to build an economy that is inclusive, resilient, and offers opportunities for every Nigerian to thrive”.

“The fuel subsidy palliatives being considered by the government should go beyond cash transfers. Government should consider introducing mass transport across the states to reduce the cost of transportation. The multiplier effect of this will be profound.

READ ALSO:
Palliatives: Kaduna state governor faults cash transfer scheme, calls it a scam

Palliatives: NEC dumps Buhari’s register, states to produce new roster

World Bank, IMF laud Tinubu’s economic reforms, urge timely palliative

Reps approve Tinubu’s request for N500bn to fund palliatives

“Government should take measures to reduce the price of fuel. Such measures should include removal of unnecessary levies and taxes on imported petroleum products, the stabilisation of the foreign exchange market, and putting back our local refineries to functional and effective use,” CAN stated.

The religious body commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu for showing commitment towards building a united, peaceful, and progressive Nigeria.

Parts of the statement read: “Given the massive corruption that had characterised the fuel subsidy regime over the years, there was a general consensus that the removal of fuel subsidy had become inevitable if the Nigerian economy is to experience sustainable growth. However, it was also generally agreed that this must be done in such a way that Nigerians will not be subjected to untold hardship. In other words, what is idealistic must be balanced with what is realistic.

“Against the backdrop of the recent unprecedented hikes in fuel prices and alarming inflation, the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria wishes to express its deepest concerns over the prevailing hardships faced by Nigerians and calls for immediate steps to mitigate the situation.

“While Nigerians were trying to adjust to the initial increase in the fuel price to N540 and its consequential effect on the cost of transportation, food, goods and services, and the general cost of living, another hike alluded to market forces took the price to N617.”

According to CAN, the hike in fuel price  has placed an enormous burden on the already struggling masses, while further widening the gap between the rich and the poor.

It added that the purchasing power of ordinary citizens has been eroded, making it extremely difficult to afford the basic necessities of life.

“The situation is just unbearable for millions of Nigerians who were already suffering poverty. While CAN acknowledges the complex and difficult decisions that government must take to manage the nation’s economy, there is an urgent need to prioritise measures that will alleviate rather than exacerbate the existing poverty level and hardships of Nigerians. It is therefore imperative that economic policies are formulated and implemented with utmost care and consideration for the prevailing hardships experienced by Nigerians.”

CAN appealed to the government to consider some of the recommendations it presented in the statement.

 “Government should engage with critical stakeholders in a meaningful dialogue to explore sustainable solutions to the current situation. It is pertinent to develop comprehensive economic policies that promote inclusive growth, job creation, and social well-being.

“Government should focus on diversifying the economy, reducing dependency on volatile commodities, and promoting investments in sectors with the potential to create sustainable employment opportunities. This will not only bolster economic resilience but also contribute to the overall well-being of citizens.

“While we agree that there is no gain without pain, the pain must not be unbearable. Consequently, we again urge the government to take into account the impact of its policies on the most vulnerable segments of the society, and ensure they are not disproportionately burdened and subjected to unnecessary hardships.

“Government must listen to the concerns of the Nigerian people and implement sound economic policies that prioritise the well-being of all citizens. By addressing the prevailing hardships caused by the recent fuel price hikes and high inflation, we can pave the way for a brighter future for Nigeria.”

[Flood series] Mapping out areas in Abuja prone to flooding

Kehinde OGUNYALE
-
0
[Flood series] Mapping out areas in Abuja prone to flooding

THE Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, reported its first flood incident in June 2023, following a heavy downpour that exacerbated into a flood submerging several houses in an estate. 

The impact of the flood, which had become a regular incident, submerged 166 houses and displaced several residents from their homes. The ICIR captured it here and here.

Last year, flooding displaced 1.4 million people across various parts of the country from their homes and killed over 500 people.  The federal government attributed the incident to unusual rainfall as a result of climate change and the excess water released from the opening of the Lagdo dam in Cameroon that flowed into the Nigerian River and its tributaries. 

READ ALSO:

Benue, Kogi States mostly unprepared, despite early flood predictions

Flooding: What is Jigawa state doing to mitigate future disaster?

Flooding: What is Niger state doing to mitigate future disaster?

[Flood series] Abandoned to fate: the resettlement struggle in Anambra 

In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency said that the flood affected about 24,713 inhabitants in three of the six area councils of the FCT.  This development forced the government to demolish houses on waterways as part of an effort to mitigate the flood. 

However, experts told The ICIR that the government may need to develop a sustainable drainage system to channel water within communities, especially rural areas.

The ICIR captured the ordeal of residents who were impacted by the flood in 2022. 

Mapping out flood zone areas

At the beginning of this year, Abuja was listed as part of the state at risk of heavy flooding in 2023.  Weather25 forecasted that FCT would have 74 days of rain in 2023 with the highest rainfall impact from May and September. 

However, the recent incident in the Tradmore estate showed that the emergency response of relevant authorities to flooding has been poor, Taiwo Ogunwumi, a flood risk consultant, told The ICIR.

Source: Google Earth (An image showing the locations in FCT prone to flooding)/ Kehinde Ogunyale
Source: Google Earth (An image showing the locations in FCT prone to flooding)/ Kehinde Ogunyale

“Yes, the authorities in charge of flood risk identification and predictions are doing their best. However, there is more to be done. An example is the provision of highly detailed flood risk maps indicating the major natural and anthropogenic features  (quantification and providing information on the economic cost loss that may arise from the future flood) that might be affected by floods,” Ogunwumi said. 

Meanwhile, The ICIR analysed several media reports of flood occurrence in Abuja in the last four years and learnt that 20 communities within the six local councils have reported at least one incident of flooding. 

Source: Aqueduct (An image sowing the water channels that runs into FCT)/ Kehinde Ogunyale
Source: Aqueduct (An image sowing the water channels that runs into FCT)/ Kehinde Ogunyale

These communities include Lugbe, Lokogoma, Garki, Wuse, Damagaza, Gwagwa, Nyanya, Galadimawa, Gaduwa, Mpape, Kubwa, Dutse Makaranta, Giri, Yangoji and Kwaita.

Some other areas are located in Karmo, Apo, Apo-Dutse, Abbattoir,  Angwan-Dodo, and some communities around Kuje local council.

Findings showed that the Abuja Municipal Area Council has the highest number of communities that have been impacted by floods. This, however, may not be unconnected to several water settlements (lake, river and creeks) found within the council.


(The map [zoomable] above shows water settlement across the FCT)

As a result of these settlements, communities around these riverbanks are eventually impacted when the water level rises due to heavy rainfall. For instance, a report captured how one person died in the Galadimawa axis of Abuja after heavy rainfall increased the water settlement in the area. 

Climate expert Daniel Oladoja also told The ICIR that in the last century, human activities have disrupted the natural order of things climatically, which resulted in the excess precipitation that brought about flooding.

He said, “Excess rainfall places a strain on natural ecological systems and, in the absence of structural buffers, could lead to destructive flooding. Plainly speaking, excess rainfall could significantly swell the volume of water in the river systems and when those reach their carrying capacity, they will spill over on residential and agricultural lands.” 

Mitigating the flood

Speaking at The ICIR Twitter Space the NEMA Assistant Chief Information Officer, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said the agency has begun to sensitise people on flood mitigations and set up emergency structures across all state levels. 

He said, “Presently, NEMA has already released climate disaster-related preparedness and migration strategy, which it is trying to downstream to the local government level. 

“The major challenge we have in this is that most of the state emergency management agencies are not as functional as they should be. According to the Act which set up the National Emergency Management Agency, we have to work with the state and local disaster management agencies, which of course is virtually not available in most of the local governments.”

Ogunwumi, while projecting more flooding this year, said there is a need to improve the details of the early warning report, that is, the quantity of the possible impacts of the flood e.g. population, farmland, and market stall that can be affected by this flood. 

1...843844845...3,440Page 844 of 3,440