President Buhari sympathises with flood victims, directs agencies to provide relief

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his sympathy with Nigerians in several states affected by floods.

Over 100 people have died in the floods following heavy rains that caused the Rivers Niger and Benue to overflow which has led the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to declare a national disaster.

President Buhari however directed all the agencies under the Nigerian government ‘to use their authority and resources to assist the victims affected by the natural disaster.’

The new directive was conveyed through the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja.

”By the delegation of his authority to declare a National Disaster in response to the increasing threats of destruction by floods, the Director-General of NEMA is mandated to coordinate a national response to emergency situations and in doing so, empowered to direct any or all agencies of government to use their authority and resources to offer assistance to victims affected by floods,” the President said.

In a warning to all government agencies, the President also requested that any such agency that failed to assist should be reported to him.

Noting that the loss of lives cannot be compensated, President Buhari assured Nigerians that his administration would work to minimise the suffering of citizens affected by the disaster.