The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has charged federal authorities, including the National Emergency Management Authority and state governments, to prioritise information from weather forecasts and act upon early warnings to avert natural disasters.

This is as he sympathised with families and other victims of floods following continued downpours in the last few weeks which, he said, had affected thousands of people in 32 states of the country, resulting resulted in the loss of homes, farms, life and the disruption of normal life.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, revealed this in a statement titled, ‘President Buhari reviews flood situation in 32 states, asks for better coordination with FG.’

READ ALSO Forceful marriage: Prosecute repentant Boko Haram members, group tells govt

Buhari, who resumed normal activities on Wednesday after a five-day quarantine following international travel, expressed concern over the situation, saying “I am constantly monitoring the situation and we will ensure that all possible help is extended to victims.”

The President noted that some states received various warnings about floods, citing specific territories and communities named by NEMA, adding, “But these warnings went unheeded even as the warning letters remain unacknowledged to this day.”

He, however, commended the few states that activated their response mechanisms following the warnings and averted unnecessary damages and losses.

To ensure greater participation by states in the regime’s determination to implement an enduring system for forecasting floods and other natural disasters through technology and improved coordination, the statement said the President has approved the convention of a workshop by NEMA in the coming weeks.