Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has recommended the construction of new dams and  removal of debris and dirts from water bodies and drainages  as measures to tackle the perennial flooding in the country.

Professor Utsev at the NEC meeting at the villa explained that the  Ministry is constructing dams nationwide as part of a strategic effort to mitigate the frequent flooding that affects homes, farmlands, infrastructure with negative impact on the national economy.

He informed the Council that the Technical Sub-Committee on Evaluation of Dams, which he chairs was  conducting an evaluation of dams across the country and the report from the committee will be submitted to the Inter-Ministerial Committee upon completion for onward presentation  to the President for necessary action.

He emphasized that the  Ministry, through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), was promoting the use of data analytics and modeling for flood risk assessment to improve nationwide flood preparedness.

The Minister further appealed to State Governors to encourage their residents to avoid building on waterways and to ensure drainage channels are cleared to help mitigate the impact of flooding.