Senate on Tuesday urged the federal government to urgently tackle the flood menace facing communities in Abia-North Senatorial District.
According to the lawmakers, flooding has cut short lives, destroyed properties, public and private infrastructure in the senatorial district.
Lamenting the hardship and level of destruction, the lawmakers also asked the Federal Ministries of Housing & Urban Development and Power to rehabilitate some of the collapsed homes, roads and electric installations within the affected areas.
The resolution was reached following a motion brought to plenary by the Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu.
Another resolution was a call on the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to urgently make emergency provision to cushion the effects of the disaster on victims in Abia North Senatorial District.
They also urged the Federal Ministries of Housing & Urban Development and Power to rehabilitate some of the collapsed homes, roads and electric installations within the affected areas.
To ascertain the extent of damages on erosion sites, the senators implored 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 to urgently provide some measures to rebuild the areas damaged by the natural disaster.
In his lead debate, the former governor named the affected areas as 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.
According to him, the perennial downpour in some communities has caused severe damages.
“The ugly occurrence which came with lightning and thunder was so severe and devastating that some precious lives were lost, critical connecting roads were completely cut off making movement between communities impossible, farmlands were washed away and destroyed with the attendant loss of crops and livestock amounting to millions of naira.
“Some houses lost their roofs, while others with weak foundation collapsed and occupants displaced alongside their helpless families.
“Worst hit were Okoko-Item Primary School, Okposi Primary School, a radio station, a university structure and many other houses in Bende Local Government Area,” Kalu said.
The lawmaker’s motion received the support of Senators Austin Akobundu (Abia Central); Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South); Osita Izunaso (Imo West ); Benson Konbowei (Bayelsa Central) and other lawmakers.
Konbowei expressed worry about the unwillingness of the executive to act on the motion passed by the senators and urged the Senate leadership to ensure that the resolutions are implemented by the federal government.
“My worry is after the resolutions what will happen next? Because if the executive does not act on the motion we will just be talking. With renewed hope things should be done better, the people are asking me what shall we do? Are we prepared to respond to the needs of our people who are suffering?” he asked.
At the end of the robust contributions, the senators granted the prayers of the motion after it was put into question by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin who presided over plenary.
The senators directed the Committees on Legislative Compliance and Environment to ensure compliance and report back to the Senate within four weeks.
They also granted an additional prayer added by Senator Izunaso for the federal government to tackle flooding in Ideato North, South and Orlu Local Government Areas of Imo State.
