The House will investigate the release of the N19.2 billion allocated for the devastating impact of flooding on farmlands across the nation.
The House of Representatives has tasked the Federal Government to expedite action against the recurrence of flood disasters across the country.
This is as it demands that the Federal Government provide relief materials for flood victims across the country, and create awareness among the populace for flood prevention.
The House also directed the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), to work out the best possible ways to alleviate flooding in Nigeria.
These resolutions are contained in a motion seeking the “Prevention and Management of the Devastating Effect of Flooding in Nigeria.” sponsored by Rep. Sekav Dzua Iyortyom (APC, Benue) on Thursday.
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Iyortyom noted that the flood crisis in the country which is attributed to heavy rain and climate change deserves urgent attention and proactive actions to prevent recurrence.
He also noted that flooding is a devastating natural disaster caused by heavy rainfall, river overflow, human activities like illegal structures and refuse, and periodic release of water from overfilled dams.
According to him, in 2022, the Federal Government established a Presidential Committee to develop a comprehensive flood prevention plan, allocating 19.2 billion naira to mitigate the devastating impact of flooding on farmlands. Likewise, the Ministry of Water Resources released the General Flood Outlook Report for the year, indicating that 223 local governments in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory constituted the highly probable flood risk areas.
“212 Local Government Areas in 35 states of the Federation, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, were classified as the moderately probable flood risk areas; and the remainder of 329 local government areas comprised the probable flood risk areas.
“The prevalence of floods in Nigeria requires urgent attention as delays could result in the destruction of houses and farms, food shortages, and a humanitarian crisis,” he said.
The House in adopting the motion, further mandated its Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness to investigate the distribution of food and non-food materials to affected citizens by the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR), and the Committee on Water Resources to investigate the release of the N19.2 billion allocated for the devastating impact of flooding on farmlands across the nation.
