Flood damages 154 roads, bridges – Fashola
* “Its disruptions to logistics movements have affected the prices of goods and services across the federation”
By SUMAYYAH ADEFAKA
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has revealed the extent of damage that the current flooding has inflicted on roads and bridges in the country.
The Minister stated this when he appeared on TVC’s programme, Journalist Hangout on Sunday.
He disclosed that over 154 roads and bridges had been damaged by the flood, noting that some locations cannot be accessed currently to determine the damage’s extent.
The former Lagos governor added that its disruptions to logistics movements have affected the prices of goods and services across the federation.
He said, “Generally, across the world, bad weather is a severe condition and problematic for those involved in the operation and management of logistics. Our own experience here is largely rain and flood.
“I can confirm 154 locations where our roads and bridges have been impacted so far. In some places, the water has not receded enough to enable us to know how bad the damage is. However, we are with working with the Ministries of Water Resources, Humanitarian Affairs and relevant agencies in order to produce an action plan. We plan to submit a report to the National Assembly when we defend our budget.”
Speaking further, the Minister expressed hope that adequate resources will be provided to prevent reoccurrence in the future.
“We hope to find the necessary resources to mitigate the effect of the flood,” he said.
The natural disaster has affected over 3.3 million people across 30 states, including 1,427,370 people displaced, 2,776 injured, and over 612 dead with many houses submerged.