The Nigerian Senate has urged President Bola Tinubu to initiate the immediate dredging of Rivers Niger and Benue to mitigate flooding.
This directive according to the senate is part of a broader plan to provide relief to affected communities and prevent future disasters.
Senator Amos Yohanna, who sponsored the motion, highlighted the devastating impact of recent flooding in his district, Adamawa North.
According to senator Yohanna, the disaster destroyed hundreds of houses and farmlands, claimed several lives, and left thousands in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
In an emergency session this year, the Senate resolved to include the dredging of Rivers Niger, Benue, and other river projects in the 2024 Appropriation Bill to combat recurring flooding.
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To address the crisis, the Senate directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to deliver aid to victims and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, to rehabilitate damaged bridges in Adamawa North.
The Senate also mandated its committee on legislative compliance to ensure NEMA and FERMA carry out these directives.
Furthermore, the Senate requested that President Tinubu facilitate the dredging of both rivers in the 2025 budget.
The Senate’s actions aim to provide urgent relief to affected communities and prevent future flooding disasters.
Senator Yohanna said:
“The Senate note that there was massive flooding that caused catastrophic destruction in the five local governments of Adamawa North senatorial district.
“Further note that hundreds of houses and farmlands were destroyed. The floods also washed away multiple culverts and bridges in Shuwa (Madagali LGA), Jigalambu, Watu, Kudzum (Michika LGA) and the Baladega Bridge, along Mubi-Maiha road. More tragically is the fact that some lives were lost;
“Aware that the flooding situation has overwhelmed local capacities, and left thousands of people in dire need of urgent humanitarian assistance in Kirchinga, Shuwa and Gulak (Madagali LGA), Dzuragu (Michika LGA) Mayo Bani (Mubi North LGA) Konkol (Maiha LGA), including shelter, food, medical care and clean water.
“Disturbed that this worsens the already difficult economic and security situation affecting the people and will relapse in internally displaced persons, IDPs, tragedy as thousands of displaced people are currently taking refuge in schools.”
