From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Senate on Wednesday during plenary has called on the Federal Government and other relevant authority to as a matter of urgency, assist and intervene in the flood and erosion that disrupted some affected communities of Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi and other states.
The call followed the motions moved by Sen. Victor Umeh (NDC Anambra Central), Prof Anthony Ani( APC Ebonyi South) and Osita Izunaso (APC Imo West) on the devastating floods, gully erosion, loss of lives, destruction of homes and farmlands and displacement of residents in their constituencies.
They urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials, including food, medical supplies and other essential assistance to the affected communities.
Senate also called on relevant federal ministries of works and environment to assess damaged roads, restore access routes and implement sustainable flood and erosion control measures.
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Moving the motion on the situation in Anambra Central, Sen. Victor Umeh said communities in Ogidi, Obosi and Oko local government areas were facing severe environmental and humanitarian crises.
Umeh attributed the recurring flooding and erosion to heavy rainfall, noting that the disasters had destroyed homes, agricultural land and infrastructure stressing that it had disrupted economic activities and livelihoods.
The lawmaker noted that at least four persons, including a pregnant woman and a six-year-old child, had reportedly lost their lives, while several families were displaced.
He also expressed concern over the expanding erosion gullies threatening residential areas and critical transport infrastructure, including sections of the Onitsha-Owerri expressway.
Seconding the motion, Sen. Anthony Ani supported the proposed intervention and drew attention of the Senate to the wider impact of flooding and erosion on communities in Ebonyi south.
Ani said the floods had destroyed homes, household valuables, agricultural crops and livestock, leaving residents vulnerable and worsening economic hardship.
He equally urged NEMA to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected communities and called on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to assess agricultural losses and provide emergency support.
Senator Ani also called on the Senate, to observe a minute’s silence in honour of those who died in the disasters.
Contributing during the debate, Sen. Osita Izunaso also said flooding and gully erosion have continued to threaten communities across Imo West, adding that he had presented a motion on the problem to the Senate in 2023.
Izunaso listed several affected communities and roads, noting that the erosion had destroyed homes, businesses, farmlands and roads and created dangerous conditions for motorists and pedestrians.
He urged NEMA, relevant agencies and the Imo state government to undertake emergency interventions, including the provision of relief materials, drainage works, road rehabilitation and erosion control.
Izunaso further called for a coordinated, long-term rehabilitation and ecological restoration programme in the affected communities.
Adopting the prayers, the Senate mandated the relevant ministries and agencies to assess the affected areas and implement appropriate emergency and long-term interventions.
It also proposed ecological intervention to cover the affected communities in Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, and other states requiring assistance.
The Senate mandated its committees on environment, works, ecology and climate change, alongside other to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas and report back in one month
The lawmakers subsequently observed a minute’s silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the flooding incidents.
