Send Relief Materials To Flood Victims, Senate Urges Fed Govt
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – Sequel to a motion under Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rule on personal explanation moved by Senator David Umaru (PDP Niger East), the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly has urged the executive arm of government to as a matter of urgency, send relief materials through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to the victims of floods in parts of the country.
This is just as it also charged the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) to intensify its weather forecasts, with emphasis on translating them in local languages of prone areas to flood, thunderstorms and other extreme weather conditions.
It noted that victims of last weekend’s flood disasters in Suleja and Tafa local government areas of Niger State and Lekki and Victoria Island, Lagos, who were rendered homeless and in some cases led to loss of lives and properties, are presently at risk of contracting water-borne diseases such as cholera and malaria as a result of the devastation caused by the flood to their sanitation and immediate surroundings.
The Senate, therefore, asked the Federal Government to assist the affected states with immediate repair and reinforcement of damaged infrastructure that could withstand future rainfall and resettle all victims of the disaster.
No fewer than 15 persons were feared killed in Tafa and Suleja Local Government Areas of Niger State after fierce flooding ravaged several homes and farmlands.
Senator Umaru, had during the presentation of his motion, called on federal government to embark on emergency intervention measure through the release of funds from ecological funds for construction of drainage system in affected states among others.
In his contribution, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC Niger North), stressed the need for government to always be proactive in saving human lives and properties rather than the usual ad-hoc arrangement after flood might have wreaked havoc.
President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, in his remarks, charged the government to assist the affected victims with relief materials and the state governments to repair the damaged infrastructure.
