In view of flood challenges occasioned by torrential rain seriously affecting some parts of the country, the Senate has urged the federal government on decisive implementation of Action Plan against Flood Disaster, drawn up a couple of months ago.
Part of the action plan was establishment of a National Flood Management Council (NFMC) in Nigeria recommended by a panel set up by the federal government.
The agency is expected to serve as a central body responsible for coordinating flood management activities nationwide.
But the Senate on the strength of a motion sponsored by Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru (APC Lagos East), on the disaster in Ikosi – Isheri , Agboyhketu and several other communities in Lagos and Ogun state, called for implementation of action plan against such disasters.
It specifically urged the federal government to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to x-ray the recurring situation of flood across the country with a view to proffering a lasting solution to flood disasters.
It also directed the relevant committees of the Senate to provide adequate funding for the NIMET, Hydrological Agency of Nigeria, and the River Basin Development Authorities to effectively carry out their responsibilities in line with their mandates.
The Senate also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief materials to the victims of the flood in the affected communities in Lagos and Ogun states.
In his motion, Senator Abiru noted that a number of communities close to the coast lines in Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu in Lagos state and other communities in Ogun states, have always experienced flooding whenever the Oyan river dams are opened.
He lamented that residents of the areas have fled their homes and business, schools and religious centres have all shut down in the affected communities while in the Maidan area of Ikosi-Isheri, the water reportedly reached the neck region of an adult.
“There is an urgent humanitarian crisis occasioned by the flood as those who were sacked by the flood are hanging around with family members and friends and only a few of their belongings could be savaged in the face of the fiery flood with food, clothing and shelter (even makeshift) are the urgent physiological needs of the people of the affected areas,” he stated.