News
31 States Brace For Devastating Floods: 148 LGAs And Counting!
Get ready, Nigerians! A staggering 148 local government areas spanning across 31 states are in the crosshairs of massive floods this year, Elanza News can report.
And that’s not all – an additional 249 LGAs in 35 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, are at moderate risk. Brace yourselves for the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO)!
Already, 21 local governments in 11 states, such as Lagos, Benue, and Osun, have been hit hard by flooding, resulting in tragic loss of lives and property.
Elanza News gathered that the impact is far-reaching, with affected households facing potential business disruptions, job losses, and financial instability. The echoes of the 2022 flooding nightmare still haunt us.
The 2022 floods wreaked havoc on businesses, causing closures, revenue losses, and job cuts in the six most affected states. A staggering 91.3% of surveyed households reported significant disruptions to their businesses, ranging from physical damage to downsizing and revenue loss. Similarly, 80% of respondents saw their jobs affected, with wage reductions and even outright job losses.
These shocking statistics highlight the dire consequences of flooding on personal finances. Recovering from such disasters is an uphill battle for businesses and individuals alike. In fact, only 31.3% of affected businesses and jobs fully bounced back, leaving the majority still grappling with the aftermath.
The impact of the 2022 floods varied across the affected states, with 54.6% severely affected, 34.2% moderately affected, and a mere 11.2% experiencing minimal impact. With last year’s devastation still fresh in our minds, what can we expect this year? The Flood Outlook has already identified flood-prone areas across the country, painting a daunting picture.
The Nigeria Flood Impact, Recovery, and Mitigation Assessment Report 2022-2023 reveals the grim reality of lost lives, disrupted essential services, and economic setbacks. Both the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors suffered heavily, leading to substantial income losses and endangering food security.
This recurring pattern of flooding incidents over the past five years, Elanza News gathered, demands immediate action. The government and stakeholders must prioritize long-term solutions and mitigation strategies to build resilience against similar disasters. But in the short run, individuals and households can take steps to manage the risks.
If you live in flood-prone areas, Elanza News gathered, you should consider getting insured with premium packages that cover losses from disasters.
Stay informed by keeping up-to-date with local weather forecasts and flood warnings provided by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.
Don’t wait for the worst to happen – sign up for alerts and have an evacuation plan in place. Remember, the loss of a life is the most devastating cost of a flood. Elanza News reports that people must stand together and face the challenges head-on to protect homes, businesses, and loved ones.
By Our Reporter
The Management of Federal Housing Authority FHA, under the leadership of Hon Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo has asked residents of its estates in Abuja to provide approvals and approved documents and building plans for commercial purposes to the office of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Housing Authority FHA, Abuja forthwith.
A Press statement issued by the management and signed by the Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Chigelu on behalf of the authority directed the submission to be carried out at the Authority’s Head office, Julius Nyerere Crescent, Asokoro , Abuja beginning from Wednesday , 3rd April , 2025.
The directives covers all buildings irrespective of the approval dates , that became expedient , following management discovery of sharp practices by commercial outlets ,as most of this buildings are built either without approval and or in contravention to the granted approval.
Chigelu stated that management discovered that some commercial buildings are in contravention of approval granted them, through alterations in total contravention to the development control regulations of the Authority.
Following the danger posed , management will not allow such negative consequences that will pave way for indiscriminate building collapse, therefore, a controlled demolition was carried out by the authority, with a building with structural defects in March , 2025, on 5th Avenue, Gwarimpa Estate.
Consequently, owners of commercial apartments, which included Hotels , Supermarkets, Hospitals, Schools and Banks including shopping malls through this announcement are expected to submit their approved plans for revalidation.
Management expect strict compliance to this directive, as violators will attract heavy sanctions with authority’s non negotiable stance .
The release further said ..
SPECIAL PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
“The Management of Federal Housing Authority, FHA hereby calls on all owners of commercial properties in FHA Estates in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory to submit their approved building plans to the office of the Managing Director and Chief Executive, at the Authority’s head office, No 26 Julius Nyerere Crescent, Asokoro Abuja from Wednesday, April 3rd, 2025.
“This directive which covers all buildings irrespective of when the approval was given, has become expedient following Management’s discovery that most commercial outlets in these Estates are built without approvals, or developed outside the granted approval.”
” Management has also discovered that some commercial buildings are in contravention of the approval granted them for alteration, in total contravention and disregard to Development Control regulations. ”
“Following the dangers posed by this development, the Management of FHA would not fold its hand to allow this looming disaster to happen. It is to avert the ugly incidence of building collapse that the Authority carried out a controlled demolition exercise of one of its buildings with structural defect on Monday, 24th March. 2025 in 5th Avenue. Gwarinpa estate.”
“Consequently, all owners of commercial outlets: hotels, supermarkets, hospitals, schools, banks, shopping malls etc through this announcement are requested to submit their building approved plans for revalidation. All such buildings must undergo an integrity test.
Strict compliance to this directive is not negotiable as severe sanctions await defaulters. “
By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government, in partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has successfully intercepted eight trafficked children who were en route to the South East and Cameroon.
In a statement to journalists in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, Mrs. Mary Sinjen, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, revealed that the children had been deceived and transported to various southeastern states in Nigeria.
According to her, the children were trafficked to locations such as Aba, Onitsha, and Imo State under the false pretence that they were orphans.
The interception took place in Gembu, the headquarters of the Sardauna Local Government Area, where it was reported that the traffickers were seeking additional children to abduct.
Mrs. Sinjen affirmed, “Thanks to the prompt response from the Ministry and NAPTIP, eight of the children have been safely returned to Taraba State.
“The primary suspect, Mrs. Patience, along with several of her accomplices, has been apprehended and is currently in custody as legal proceedings commence.
“Search and rescue operations for other trafficked children are ongoing.”
She further emphasised that the state government will not tolerate any unscrupulous individuals who exploit children’s rights for illicit gain.
“This administration is wholly committed to ensuring justice, rehabilitating victims, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration to combat child trafficking,” she stated.
“We urge all residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities, as the welfare and protection of our children is a collective responsibility.”
In the meantime, authorities in Taraba have reiterated the importance of community vigilance and reporting any suspicious activities, stressing that safeguarding children requires a unified effort.
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, has assured that all security challenges facing the nation will be effectively addressed by the year’s end.
This statement was made during the launch of attack drones and the demonstration of locally produced bombs, developed by a homegrown technology firm.
The event was attended by security specialists and senior government officials, as General Musa showcased the indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the audience.
Accompanied by Ajao Adewale, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, and Caleb Mutfwang, the Governor of Plateau State, General Musa emphasized the ongoing bureaucratic obstacles in acquiring military equipment from abroad.
Governor Mutfwang stressed the urgency for decisive measures against insecurity, calling on leaders to prevent any entity within the nation from possessing military capabilities.
The operational features of the UAVs were also demonstrated, with General Musa expressing satisfaction with this advancement, labeling it a pivotal step in combating insecurity in the country.