Senate demands immediate dredging of Niger, Benue Rivers

• Agency assures Nigerians of normal ocean surge
The Senate has urged President Bola Tinubu to order immediate dredging of Rivers Niger and Benue as part of preventive methods against flooding and facilitate its inclusion in the 2025 budget.

The upper legislative chamber adopted the resolution following a motion moved by Amos Yohanna on the urgent need for intervention in the humanitarian crisis caused by flooding in Adamawa North Senatorial District.

The Senate had, at an emergency session, resolved to facilitate the inclusion of the dredging and other river projects in the 2024 Appropriation Bill. The plan was to combat recurring flooding and its effects across the federation.

In his lead debate yesterday, Yohanna noted that there was massive flooding that caused catastrophic destruction in the five council areas of Adamawa North Senatorial District, namely Madagali, Maiha, Michika, Mubi North and Mubi South, which destroyed hundreds of houses and farmlands.

The lawmakers further resolved to direct the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to, urgently, reach out to the affected communities, and provide relief materials to the victims.

The appeal yesterday followed discussions by senators on the devastating impact of the floods that have left thousands of residents displaced and in dire need of assistance.

In separate motions, Amos Yohana (Adamawa North) and Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central) highlighted the urgent need for intervention in their respective regions.

Adegbonmire brought attention to the severe flooding that struck Ondo town in Ondo West Local Council on October 4, causing widespread destruction.

In response to the Senators’ concerns, the Senate unanimously agreed on several requests, including conducting an urgent assessment.

The Senate called on the Federal Government to undertake an immediate on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas in both Ondo and Adamawa states to devise long-term solutions to the recurring flooding issues.

It also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide immediate relief materials to those displaced by the floods in Ondo West Local Government Area.

It also urged the Federal Ministry of Power to ensure that the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) restores electricity supply to the impacted regions.

The Senate also stressed the importance of developing a robust response plan for natural disasters to mitigate future crises.

Senator Yohanna also presented a motion detailing the catastrophic flooding in five local governments within Adamawa North Senatorial District: Madagali, Maiha, Michika, Mubi North, and Mubi South. He reported widespread destruction of homes and farmland, as well as the loss of lives due to the floods.

“The flooding has overwhelmed local capacities, leaving thousands in urgent need of shelter, food, medical care, and clean water.”

Yohanna remarked, warning that the situation could lead to a further humanitarian crisis with many displaced individuals taking refuge in schools.

The Senate resolved to direct NEMA to prioritise outreach and assistance to the affected communities and called on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency to rehabilitate the damaged bridges, including Shuwa, Jigalambu, and Baladega.

As the Senate takes decisive steps to address the ongoing crises in Adamawa and Ondo states, it underscores the critical need for swift government intervention to support affected residents and restore stability in these communities.

SIMILARLY, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has confirmed that water levels in the River Niger Basin are steadily receding, bringing much-needed relief to flood-prone communities.

Its Director General, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, reassured the public that flood preparedness protocols were proving effective, as Jebba Dam was spilling excess water, tightly regulated by Kainji Dam operators.

In a statement, Mohammed emphasised that despite ongoing inflows, the worst may have been avoided owing to NIHSA’s collaboration with dam authorities within and outside Nigeria.

According to him, this is a major boost to the nation’s flood management efforts, with the agency ensuring that the situation remains under control.

He said the development marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s battle against yearly flooding, as timely interventions by NIHSA and its partners have averted a major crisis.

The statement reads in part: “NIHSA, through the Director, Operational Hydrology, Pastor Femi Bejide, is working in close contact with the operators of Kainji and Jebba Dams on the management of the reservoirs.

“The rain is gradually shifting to the south, however, there are still some amounts of water coming into Nigeria as monitored from our station at Jidere bode and Kende.”