Reps urge FG to implement national flood prevention measures

The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, urged the Federal Ministries of Water Resources and Environment to direct the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency to implement measures aimed at preventing flooding across the country.

The House also called on the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, to begin the desilting of the nation’s major dams and rivers to prevent excessive flooding.

It should be recalled that a few weeks ago, heavy flooding claimed lives and destroyed properties in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Zamfara states, among others. Federal and state governments, as well as concerned individuals, have since led humanitarian interventions to alleviate the victims’ plight.

The resolutions of the House followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the lawmaker representing Zaki Federal Constituency, Bauchi State, Mohammed Shehu.

Leading the debate, the lawmaker emphasised that dredging Nigeria’s major dams and rivers is crucial to mitigating the devastating impact of floods on farmers and their crops.

He expressed concern that the government’s failure to assist farmers in addressing flooding challenges has hindered the implementation of adequate drainage strategies to control flooding.

He stated, “This negligence has also contributed to insufficient flood control measures, inadequate compensation for farmers’ losses, and inefficient water resource management.”

“The House is aware that developed countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Africa have made flood control through proper drainage systems a key objective of their administrations to safeguard the environment, improve food security, and ensure sustainability.”

He further explained that the proper dredging of dams and rivers would promote irrigation farming, leading to increased food production for both local consumption and export.

“This, in turn, would contribute significantly to economic development,” he added.

He also raised concerns over the recurring annual floods, which he said, “Have destroyed farmers’ efforts, resulting in losses worth billions of naira and posing significant risks due to government inaction.”

He cited statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics, revealing that between 2018 and 2020, over N2.8tn worth of crops were lost due to flooding.

“The House is worried that 80 per cent of Nigerian farmers have suffered significant crop losses, leading to debt and an exodus from farming. Farmers who have taken out loans from financial institutions are finding it increasingly difficult to repay them due to flood-related losses,” he added.

Following the unanimous adoption of the motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas mandated the House Committees on Water Resources, Environment, and Agricultural Production and Services to collaborate with the Ministers of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Food Security to propose solutions to these challenges and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.