The Senate has urged the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to make emergency provisions available as soon as possible to cushio the effects on victims of the affected communities in Abia North Senatorial District, Abia State.
The Senate has also urged the Federal Ministries of Housing and Urban Development and Power to repair some of the collapsed homes, roads, and power lines in the affected areas.
The Upper Chamber has requested that the Ecological Fund Department of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management assess the extent of damage to erosion sites in the affected areas as soon as possible in order to provide some measures for rebuilding the damaged environment caused by this unfortunate incident.
The Senate directed the Committees on Legislative Compliance and the Environment to monitor compliance and report back to the Senate within four weeks. The Senate held a one-minute pause in memory of those who lost their lives in the sad flooding disaster in Abia North Senatorial District.
They also passed resolutions on wednesday in response to a motion headed “Call on the Federal Government to urgently make Emergency Provisions for Victims of Flooding in Some Communities in Abia North Senatorial District of Abia State.”
It was sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, APC, Abia North.
Introducing the motion, the former Abia State Governor stated that “the Senate notes that the recent perennial downpour in some communities of the Abia North Senatorial District of Abia State caused severe damages to the affected communities.”
“Also notes that the ugly occurrence, which came with lightning and thunder, was so severe and devastating that some precious lives were lost in the flood, critical connecting roads were completely cut off, making movement between communities impossible, farmlands were washed away and destroyed, resulting in crop and livestock losses of several millions of naira.”
“Be aware that some houses lost their roofs, while others with poor foundations collapsed, displacing the occupants and their vulnerable families.
Okoko-Item Primary School, Okposi Primary School, a radio station, a university structure, and many more Bende LGA homes were among those most severely damaged.
According to Senator Kalu, the “Senate observed that socioeconomic activities have been brought to a near halt as a result of this natural disaster in communities like Igbere, Item, Eziukwu Road, which was divided into two parts, Eze River, Nkporo Umuhu, Abriba, Okonu, Abam Ihechiowa, and other adjoining communities all in Bende, Ohafia, and Arochukwu Local Government Areas.
Why this matters
Evaluating the extent of damage to erosion sites and taking steps to rebuild the environment is critical for preventing future disasters. This is particularly important in regions prone to erosion and flooding.
Bottom Line
The focus on repairing homes, roads, and power lines is vital for restoring normalcy. Damaged infrastructure can significantly hinder recovery efforts and exacerbate the hardships faced by the victims.
