Reps Urge States to Heed to Forecasts by NIMET
The House of Representatives have called on States to pay attention to the warnings and predictions of local weather conditions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) as well as take preventive measures to protect lives and properties in times of flood disaster.
This call followed a Motion on the unprecedented and devastating flood disaster in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, sponsored by Hon. Muraina Ajibola who intimated the House that the down pour in Ibadan which wrecked havoc in the city was the highest in more than five decades going by available records documented at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
Informing the House on the extent of damage caused by the flood, he explained that the rainfall lasted for more than six hours drowning hundreds of persons, destroying properties worth billions of naira and also rendering people homeless.
Hon. Ajibola called on the Ministry of Environment and Urban/ Regional Planning to ensure strict compliance with building plan approval and that necessary town planning laws should be put in place by the Oyo State Government in a bid to regulate erection of structures on water ways.
In his contribution, Hon. Samson Osagie said that the devastation in Ibadan indeed called for sober reflection, adding that it had become absolutely necessary to put in place well equipped agencies to tackle disasters promptly as all efforts made so far in the past by States and Federal Governments have not been effective and far reaching to the effect of fully addressing natural disasters.
Supporting the motion also, Hon. Andrew Uchendu urged the Oyo State government to open up channels, adding that “climate change is inevitable but its effect can no doubt be reduced.”
The Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was also urged to provide relief materials to the flood victims particularly those who were still at various temporary camps and others whose means of livelihood have been completely destroyed by the flood. A team of medical experts will also be sent by NEMA to assist in controlling the outbreak of cholera and other diseases which could lead to loss of lives.
The House further called on the Ministry of Works and other related agencies as well as the State Government to provide adequate modern drainage systems in Ibadan to serve as a permanent solution to the flood disasters.
A delegation has in the mean time been set up by the House to visit Ibadan to commiserate with its Government and people as well as undertake an on-the-spot assessment with a view to providing appropriation and budgeting. Kind spirited Nigerians who donated in cash and kind to ameliorate the difficulties encountered by surviving victims of the flood were also commended by House.
