Abuja: The Federal Ministry of Environment has reviewed the National Erosion and Flood Control Policy (NEFCOP) to strengthen the national framework for erosion and flood management in the country. Mr. Mahmud Kambari, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, announced this at a National Stakeholders’ Validation Workshop on the review of NEFCOP.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workshop was organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) Project, supported by the World Bank. Kambari noted that, due to lapses in time and changing circumstances, the Federal Ministry of Environment is embarking on the review of the NEFCOP to bolster the national framework for erosion and flood management. He recalled that the national erosion and flood control policy was initially developed and launched in 2005 to address challenges related to erosion, flooding, and coastal degradation.
Kambari emphasized that erosion and flood challenges extend beyond environmental issues, posing developmental, social, and economic challenges. He reiterated that the workshop marked another milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to institutionalise a coordinated and evidence-based approach to erosion and flood management. The National Erosion and Flood Control Policy and its associated documents, being validated at the workshop, represent a comprehensive national framework aimed at preventing and mitigating the impact of erosion and flooding while promoting integrated land and water resource management.
Mr. Musa Shaibu, representing ACReSAL, assured support for activities related to flood and erosion control. He expressed hope that the document would effectively control and address issues related to environmental degradation, particularly those associated with water flow. Mr. Usman Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department in the Ministry of Environment, expressed concern that erosion was threatening livelihoods across various parts of the country. Bokani mentioned that the review would undergo broad technical consultations and active participation from experts and stakeholders nationwide to reflect current knowledge, integrate modern technology, and align with national and international frameworks.