..as Minister seeks support from Military
Juliet Jacob Ochenje
The Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has been applauded by the House of Representatives for her Ministry’s preparedness for any emergency and humanitarian crises in the country.
The Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Hon. Joseph Bassey, gave the Commendation in Abuja, a statement by Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, the Special Adviser On Media and Publicity to the Minister said on Tuesday.
The committee’s visit, Zubair said, was part of their oversight function to review Nigeria’s level of preparedness for the impending opening of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, and other flood and emergency issues in the country.
While noting that massive flooding ravages parts of Nigeria whenever the dam in Cameroon is opened by the Cameroonian authority, Hon. Bassey was quoted as saying that: “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.”
Responding, Dr. Edu reiterated her Ministry’s commitment to improve coordination and preparedness for the flooding that will likely follow the opening of the Lagdo Dam or any other flooding which could lead to humanitarian crises. She noted that prevention of loss of lives and properties are key considerations for her ministry and advocated for the inclusion of construction of buffer dams in the country to curtail excessive flooding in the 2024 budget.
In a similar development, the Minister has sought the support of the military to tackle humanitarian crisis and other critical security issues as a means of alleviating poverty in Nigeria.
Edu, made the request during a courtesy visit to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, where she emphasised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to both preventing and mitigating humanitarian crisis in the country.
“We require military data to incorporate them into the social register, allowing them to benefit from poverty alleviation programmes, and ultimately improving the lives of millions of Nigerians. The President’s goal is to lift Nigerians out of humanitarian crises and poverty,” she said.
Responding, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher G. Musa, acknowledged the link between poverty and crime, stating that the military believes that the ministry’s success would facilitate their own mission.
“We pledge our unwavering support to the Minister, ensuring all necessary logistics and resources are provided to achieve our shared objectives,” he said.
