Flood: Senate directs emergency interventions in Anambra, Imo, others

The Senate has urged the Federal Government to take immediate emergency actions in Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, and surrounding regions affected by devastating floods and erosion. This call came after joint motions presented by Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Anthony Ani, and Senator Osita Izunaso. Senator Umeh, representing Anambra Central, detailed the dire humanitarian and environmental situations in Ogidi, Obosi, and Oko, where heavy rains caused widespread flooding and gully erosion, leading to at least four deaths, including a pregnant woman and a six-year-old child.

The senator warned that expanding gullies pose a threat to major transportation routes, such as the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, endangering economic activities and daily life. Senator Ani from Ebonyi South stressed the economic devastation brought by the overflow of water, which destroyed crops, livestock, and personal belongings, exacerbating local hardships.

The senator asked the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to urgently assess crop damage and provide immediate relief to affected farmers. Senator Izunaso from Imo West emphasized the persistent danger to communities and roads, urging the Federal Ministry of Works and Environment to quickly assess blocked access routes and implement long-term drainage and ecological control solutions.

The Senate endorsed these prayers, directing NEMA to deliver food, medical supplies, and relief materials to displaced residents. Additionally, the Senate tasked Environment, Works, Ecology, and Climate Change committees to inspect the damage and submit a detailed report within 30 days. The lawmakers also planned to observe a minute of silence for the victims who perished in these natural disasters.