The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to take immediate disaster management and environmental protection measures following severe flooding and erosion that have ravaged multiple communities, destroying critical road infrastructure and vast hectares of farmlands.
The intervention followed a motion moved during plenary by Hon. Anthony Mathew, who brought national attention to the severe economic losses and physical isolation suffered by residents in the affected areas of Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency.
Detailing the impact of the environmental disaster, Hon. Mathew highlighted that torrential rains and rising floodwaters have swept through communities, washing away access roads, culverts, and bridge connections. The resulting destruction has left several agrarian communities completely cut off from neighboring markets and urban centers within the state.
Furthermore, the floodwaters destroyed expansive farmlands and standing crops, threatening local food security and wiping out the livelihoods of hundreds of farmers.
“Affected residents are facing extreme hardship, total isolation, and devastating financial ruin,” the motion noted, emphasizing that without swift government intervention, the affected populations cannot recover independently.
To address the humanitarian crisis and mitigate long-term damage, Hon. Anthony Mathew urged the House to compel relevant Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to act immediately.
An immediate, on-the-spot impact assessment of all affected communities by relevant federal disaster and environmental agencies to ascertain the full scale of damage.
Urgent mobilization of technical teams to repair and reconstruct damaged access roads, culverts, and erosion control structures to restore connectivity.
The immediate deployment of relief materials by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), alongside targeted financial support, seeds, and inputs from the Ministry of Agriculture to aid farmers in rebuilding their livelihoods.
