The Director-General of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NiMet, Professor Mansour Matazu, revealed on Wednesday that Nigeria lost about $4.6 billion in economic damage due to the 2022 floods.
But he said the country was recovering from the devastation, although he expressed concern that the losses were having a negative impact on gross domestic product (GDP).
Mr. Matazu stated this at a one-way high-level advocacy workshop on Strengthening Access to Climate Information Services for National Development and Food Security in Nigeria, organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA).
Citing a World Bank study commissioned by the Department of Humanitarian Affairs, he said the report provides a rapid assessment of the cost impact of 2022 flood damage on livelihoods, agricultural land and infrastructure. Ta.
“This flood has cost the country over $4.6 billion, which weighs heavily on our GDP. Nevertheless, we are recovering very quickly and the government has already It commissions the Committee to come up with lasting solutions to flooding and consider ways to better utilize primarily domestic flooding to improve agriculture.
Matazu added that the agency is keenly committed to the current government’s policy of achieving food security, sustainability and availability to all Nigerians.
Stating that climate change is a serious challenge in Nigeria, he said there is local evidence of climate change in Nigeria, adding: “Government agencies are leveraging partnerships and working with relevant stakeholders to “We will come up with appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures,” he added. Nigerians will adopt the provision of climate-smart agriculture advice and services through the agricultural extension agent system to increase yields and thereby increase food security and stability in the country. ”
HEDA Executive Director Sulaimon Aligbabu blamed the losses suffered by farmers due to the floods on lack of access to climate information services.
According to him, Nigeria’s food crisis and insecurity are caused by resource constraints caused by climate change.
he said: “As you may remember, there was a massive flood in Nigeria last year. What many people didn’t know is that something close to that happened this year. It may not be as negative as last year. But as the effects of last year’s floods are still felt in the local community, this is putting additional stress on us, especially the food producing community.
“We visited many communities and realized that farmers continue to suffer even after the floods. Of course, there are many issues plaguing agricultural production in Nigeria, but one major issue that typically does not receive the necessary attention is access to climate information services. It is the lack of.
“Of course, we are aware that our partner in this project, NiMet, produces seasonal climate forecasts. We also have regular forecasts, but they are not reaching farmers. In three important ways. One has to report to agricultural policy authorities in all states in advance of the planting season, and annual production plans need to be developed in that regard.
“Information also needs to reach farmers when they start preparing for planting, because changing rain patterns often cause farmers to start production early and incur a lot of losses. , information about what to plant and what not to plant may not be available.
“We visited Adamawa last year and many corn farmers were crying saying they would have planted sugarcane if they had been informed, and that it would not have been destroyed by the floods they encountered. It would have been.
“This is why we feel it is necessary to draw attention to the fact that not only farmers but all Nigerians need access to climate information services. And it is important for the farmers of our country as well.” It is the people helps avoid poverty, overcome hunger and reduce grief for affected families. ”
Source: guardian.ng