The lower chamber of the legislature is urgently urging the federal government to take decisive action to avert flood disasters in Nigeria.
They are calling for immediate intervention to provide relief for flood victims, active monitoring of flood management and prevention strategies, and an extensive public education campaign on flood prevention measures.
This call to action, initiated by Honourable Sekav Iyortyom, comes as the House acknowledges that the recent flooding in the country is a result of heavy rainfall and the profound impact of climate change, necessitating prompt and effective planning.
Lawmakers are deeply concerned about the escalating prevalence of floods in Nigeria, emphasizing that any delays in addressing this issue could lead to the widespread destruction of homes and farmlands, potential food shortages, and a looming humanitarian crisis. To further address the situation, the House has mandated its Committee on Water Resources to thoroughly investigate the disbursement and utilization of the allocated N19.2 billion intended to mitigate the devastating impact of flooding on farmlands across the nation.
Recent years have witnessed devastating floods causing widespread destruction of homes and farmlands, resulting in numerous fatalities across various regions of the country. The consequences go beyond exacerbating food insecurity, with the destruction of farmland and crops contributing to the outbreak of cholera, as reported by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Notably, in 2012, Nigeria faced particularly deadly floods that left a lasting impact on the nation.
