Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has recently come under fire for her comments on the flooding in the country.

In a recent ministerial briefing, the minister said Bayelsa State was not among the ten most flood-hit states; rather, Jigawa, Anambra and Kogi top the list.

Reactions to Farouq’s comments 

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) accused Farouq of doctoring statistics of 2022 flood impact.

The rights group accused her of favouritism by naming Jigawa State to be the number one on the list of affected states and stating without justification that Bayelsa is not even amongst the first ten worst hit states.

In the same vein, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) criticised the minister, claiming that her assertions further reflected the uncouth arrogance and callous disregard being accorded to issues about the Niger Delta and its people by the federal government.

Also, another group, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), called on President Muhammadu Buhari to caution the humanitarian minister.

For their part, members of the Rivers and Bayelsa caucus in the House of Representatives called on the minister to resign over her comments.

According to them, she put the number of persons injured in Bayelsa State at 81 and the number of deaths at 91; but reports from the Flood Management Committee and traditional rulers indicate that thousands are wounded and hundreds of Bayelsa citizens died.

They argue that even one dead person is enough for the federal government to show responsibility and sympathy to its people.

Flooding statistics
Data from the website of the humanitarian ministry reveals that as of 24 October, 2022, 3,219,780 persons were reportedly affected by floods.

The ministry also noted that 1,427,370 persons have been internally displaced, with about 2,776 persons injured, 612 people losing their lives, 181,600 houses partially damaged and another 123,807 houses totally damaged.

It added that 176,852 hectares of farmlands were partially damaged while 392,399 hectares of farmlands have been totally damaged.

The ministry further noted that 21 states have received relief materials.

Notable concerns
Public officeholders should avoid appearing to be politicising the flooding disaster as victims have been through enough trauma already; having to brave the elements by sleeping outside in canoes, rooftops and floodwater floors.

The humanitarian minister should be careful in order not to appear to be downplaying the harsh reality on ground.

The minister also needs to visit the affected areas to get first-hand information and act swiftly and accordingly.

Photo source: USAID