The Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has earned commendation from the House of Representatives for her ministry’s proactive stance in addressing potential humanitarian crises.
During a visit to her office in Abuja, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey, expressed his appreciation. This visit was part of the committee’s oversight responsibility to assess Nigeria’s readiness for the forthcoming release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon and to evaluate the nation’s preparedness for various flood and emergency scenarios.
Historically, Nigeria has faced severe flooding when the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon is opened. Hon. Bassey stressed the importance of preparedness in managing the consequences of such disasters. He stated, “No one can predict disaster, but preparedness determines how effectively the consequences can be managed. This is why the House Committee applauds the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister for her Ministry’s readiness for humanitarian crises.”
In response, Minister Betta Edu reaffirmed her commitment to advancing President Tinubu’s vision by enhancing coordination and preparedness for potential flooding and humanitarian crises. She emphasized the need to prevent loss of life and property and advocated for the inclusion of buffer dam construction in the 2024 budget to mitigate excessive flooding.
Minister Edu revealed that the Federal Executive Council had approved flooding response documents and invited the committee to participate in field operations to gain firsthand experience. She praised President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to alleviating the suffering of Nigerians and lifting them out of poverty and humanitarian crises.
Dr. Edu also commended House Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas for his exemplary leadership and committee appointments. Accompanying Hon. Bassey during the visit were his deputy, Hon. Bashiru, and other committee members, along with the clerk.
Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, Special Adviser On Media and Publicity To Hon. Minister MHAPA
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