The Nigerian Senate has called for urgent Federal Government intervention in flood- and erosion-ravaged communities in Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi and other affected states, following reports of deaths, destruction of homes and farmlands, and the displacement of residents.
The Senate urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials, including food, medical supplies and other essential items, to victims of the disasters.
It also called on the Federal Ministries of Works and Environment to assess damaged roads, restore access routes and implement sustainable flood and erosion control measures.
The resolutions followed motions moved by Senators Victor Umeh (NDC, Anambra Central), Anthony Ani (APC, Ebonyi South) and Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West), who drew attention to the growing humanitarian and environmental challenges confronting their constituencies.
Moving the motion on Anambra Central, Umeh said communities in Ogidi, Obosi and Awka South Local Government Area were facing severe environmental and humanitarian crises caused by flooding and expanding erosion gullies.
He attributed the recurring disasters to heavy rainfall, which he said had destroyed homes, farmlands and infrastructure, disrupted economic activities and deprived many residents of their livelihoods.
The senator reported that at least four persons, including a pregnant woman and a six-year-old child, had lost their lives, while several families had been displaced.
He also expressed concern over expanding erosion gullies threatening residential areas and critical transport infrastructure, including sections of the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.
Seconding the motion, Senator Ani highlighted the devastating impact of flooding and erosion on communities in Ebonyi South, noting that homes, household belongings, crops and livestock had been destroyed.
He said the disasters had worsened the economic hardship of affected residents and left many families vulnerable.
Ani called on NEMA to provide immediate humanitarian assistance and urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to assess agricultural losses and offer emergency support to affected farmers.
He also proposed a minute’s silence in honour of those who died in the disasters.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Izunaso said flooding and gully erosion continued to threaten communities across Imo West, recalling that he had raised the issue through a motion in the Senate in 2023.
He listed several affected communities and roads, explaining that erosion had destroyed homes, businesses, farmlands and road infrastructure while exposing motorists and pedestrians to dangerous conditions.
Izunaso called on NEMA, relevant federal agencies and the Imo State Government to undertake emergency interventions, including the distribution of relief materials, drainage construction, road rehabilitation and erosion control.
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He further advocated a coordinated, long-term rehabilitation and ecological restoration programme to address the recurring environmental challenges.
Adopting the prayers of the motions, the Senate mandated relevant ministries and agencies to assess the affected communities and implement appropriate emergency and long-term interventions.
It also called for ecological intervention in affected communities across Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and other states requiring assistance.
The Senate subsequently mandated its committees on Environment, Works, Ecology and Climate Change, among others, to conduct on-the-spot assessments of the affected areas and submit their findings within one month.
