PANDEF Urges Tinubu to Address Imminent Coastal Flooding in Niger Delta

The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to mitigate the threat of impending coastal flooding in the Niger Delta region.

In a statement by its National Secretary, Dr. Alfred Mulade, the group urged the Federal Government to mobilize resources to protect vulnerable states, including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, and Edo. PANDEF also outlined key measures, such as reinforcing flood defences, evacuating high-risk areas, providing emergency relief, providing rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance to communities hit by flooding, and constructing shelters on higher grounds.

The group stressed the urgency of the situation, warning that millions of lives could be at risk if proactive steps are not taken. “If the government does not respond urgently, the potential disaster could have long-lasting and severe impacts on the lives of Nigerians.” Mulade said.

Recently the federal government predicted that 21 states could be significantly impacted by a five-day rainfall, with the potential for severe flooding. The National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre, under the Federal Ministry of Environment, identified states such as Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers are among those at high risk.