The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to urgently provide emergency assistance to communities affected by severe flooding in the Abia North Senatorial District of Abia State.
Additionally, the Senate has urged the Federal Ministries of Housing and Urban Development and Power to rehabilitate collapsed homes, roads, and electric installations within the affected areas.
The Upper Chamber also directed the Ecological Fund Department of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management to assess the extent of erosion damage in the area and provide measures to rebuild the damaged environment.
The Senate has mandated the Committees on Legislative Compliance and Environment to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks.
In a solemn gesture, the Senate observed a one-minute silence in honor of those who lost their lives in the flooding incident.
These resolutions followed a motion titled “Call on the Federal Government to Urgently Make Emergency Provisions for Victims of Flooding in Some Communities in Abia North Senatorial District of Abia State,” sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North).
Presenting the motion, the former Abia State governor detailed the severe damages caused by the recent heavy downpours in Abia North.
“The recent perennial downpour in some communities of Abia North Senatorial District of Abia State caused severe damages to the affected communities,” Senator Kalu noted.
“The occurrence, accompanied by lightning and thunder, was so severe and devastating that lives were lost, critical connecting roads were completely cut off, and farmlands were destroyed, resulting in losses of crops and livestock amounting to several millions of naira.”
Senator Kalu highlighted that several houses lost their roofs, and others with weak foundations collapsed, displacing families. Key infrastructures, including Okoko-Item Primary School, Okposi Primary School, a radio station, a university structure, and many houses in Bende LGA, were severely damaged.
The flooding has brought socio-economic activities in the affected communities, including Igbere, Item, Eziukwu Road, Eze River, Nkporo, Umuhu, Abriba, Okonu, Abam Ihechiowa, and other adjoining communities in Bende, Ohafia, and Arochukwu Local Government Areas to a near halt.
Senator Kalu expressed concern that the devastation, linked to climate change, has left affected citizens in a pitiable situation, with rural dwellers, artisans, and farmers struggling to meet basic necessities of life.
He emphasized the urgent need for emergency response to prevent further casualties and alleviate the suffering of the dislocated society.
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