The National Economic Council on Thursday approved N83.21bn for the implementation of an Anticipatory Action Task Force aimed at mitigating flooding and other climate-related disasters across the country.
The approval followed a reduction of an initial N166.42bn request submitted to the Council by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, effectively slashing the proposed fund by 50 per cent.
The Council took the decision at its 158th meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, said the approved fund would be drawn through the Federation Account Allocation Committee to support anticipatory interventions against flooding.
He said, “The purpose of the request was to seek the consideration of council for the approval and disbursement of funds through the Federal Account Allocation Committee to facilitate the implementation of the approved Anticipatory Action Task Force interventions aimed at mitigating the impact of anticipated flooding and other climate-related agencies across the country.
