Senate Urges FG To Find Solution To Flooding

By Naomi Sharang

The Senate has urged the Federal Government to convene stakeholders’ meeting to X-ray the recurring situation of flooding across the country with a view to arriving at a lasting solution.

The senate’s resolution was sequel to a point of order moved by Sen. Adetokunbo Abiru (APC-Lagos) during Tuesday’s plenary.

The motion is titled:”Flood Disaster in Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu and several other communities in Lagos and Ogun”.

The upper chamber also commiserated with the victims of the flood disaster and commended the governments of Lagos and Ogun for their handling of the crisis occasioned by the flood disaster.

It also directed the relevant committees of the senate to provide adequate funding for NIMET, Hydrological Agency of Nigeria, and the River Basin Development Authorities to effectively carry out their responsibilities.

Moving the motion, Abiru said that a number of communities close to the coast lines in Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu in Lagos and other communities in Ogun often experience flooding whenever the Oyan River dam is opened.

“The recent release of water from the dam caused unimaginable havoc  to residents’ property and livelihoods particularly on Tuesday, Oct.24.

“The  residents of the areas have fled their homes and businesses, schools and religious centres have all shut down in the affected communities,” he said.

The lawmaker further said that there is an urgent humanitarian crisis occasioned by the flood as those sacked by the flood are still hanging around with family members and friends,” he said.

He, however, said that in response to the threatening humanitarian crisis,  the governors of Lagos and Ogun and the Minister of Water Resources had all intervened in their respective capacities.(NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede