The Senate has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the immediate dredging of the Niger and Benue Rivers as part of a long-term strategy to prevent flooding and mitigate its devastating impact.
The Upper Legislative Chamber passed this resolution after a motion was presented by Senator Amos Yohanna, addressing the urgent need for intervention in the humanitarian crisis caused by severe flooding in Adamawa North Senatorial District.
Sen. Yohanna highlighted the massive destruction caused by flooding in five Local Government Areas: Madagali, Maiha, Michika, Mubi North, and Mubi South, where hundreds of homes and farmlands were wiped out. He emphasized that dredging the rivers would significantly reduce the recurring flooding incidents, which have caused widespread damage in recent years.
The Senate also recalled a similar resolution passed in 2024, where they advocated for the inclusion of river dredging projects in the national budget to address the country’s flooding crisis. This plan aimed to ensure that rivers such as the Niger and Benue are regularly dredged to manage water levels and prevent overflows during heavy rains.
In addition to calling for the dredging to be factored into the 2025 budget, the Senate urged the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to swiftly provide relief materials to affected communities in Adamawa North and other regions hit by recent flooding.
READ ALSO :Â Govt orders evacuation as flood wreaks havoc in Ondo
Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC, Ondo-Central), also moved a motion, asking the government to focus on the severe flooding that recently ravaged Ondo Town in the Ondo-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The Senate’s resolution follows devastating flooding on October 4, 2024, which caused widespread destruction across multiple communities in Ondo Town. Over 1,000 homes, 25 schools, 20 worship centers, and 7,000 people were affected, leaving thousands homeless. Areas like Itanla, Oka, Odojomu, Oke-Odunwo, Bethlehem, and Fagun were severely impacted.
Sen. Adegbonmire ‘s motion called for immediate relief for the displaced, urging the NEMA to mobilize aid to affected communities. The Senate also asked the Benin Electricity Distribution Company to restore electricity to areas where power supply had been disrupted.
In a long-term effort to prevent future floods, the Senate recommended that the Ondo State Government conduct an assessment of the flood-prone areas with a view to finding permanent solutions to the frequent flooding that affects Ondo-West and surrounding regions. This assessment is expected to form the foundation for future preventive measures and better disaster management.
The resolution is part of broader efforts to develop long-term solutions to Nigeria’s flood crisis, which continues to threaten lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure across the country.
Credible News.ng
