By Haruna Salami
Senate at its plenary on Tuesday urged Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) to make information, recommendations and preparedness on flooding and other disasters readily available to the people to avert unnecessary loss of lives and property.
This followed the adoption of a motion on “Urgent Need to provide Palliative Support for Ipao, Itapaji and Oke-Ako Communities in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State sponsored by Senator Fasuyi, Cyril Oluwale (Ekiti North).
The Senate noted with concern that on the 2nd of June, 2024 a violent windstorm and heavy rainfall affected Ipao, Itapaji and Oke-Ako towns in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State leading to the destruction of houses, farmlands, schools, properties, food stocks, shelters and other valuables;
The red chamber also noted that another devastating storm occurred on the 6th June, 2024 which put the same towns in Ekiti North Senatorial District into serious distress.
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However, Senator Fasuyi Oluwole who sponsored the motion regretted that government agencies have failed to give warnings and advance information to prevent and control imminent disasters on the communities which has continued to sustain constant fear and lack of knowledge on preparedness by the rural communities across the country:
He also observed that, “so far, no agency of the state or federal government has come to the assistance of the victims of these natural disasters”.
Therefore the Senate urged the Federal Government through its Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief packages, most especially, food items, building materials, farm tools and other essential equipment to enable the affected people of Ipao, Itapaji-Ekiti and Oke-Ako towns feed, rebuild their homes and alleviate their pains in view of the impending rain season.
It mandated the Committees on Environment and Legislative Compliance to ensure strict compliance with the resolution and report within four weeks.
Contributing to the motion, Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) recalled his experience with Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) when he wanted information on recommendations and preparedness, regretted that NIMET replied and asked him to pay the sum of N3 million in order to get the information.
The Delta Central senator suggested that NIMET be required to make all flood warnings available to the public and specifically to the state governments so that they can adequately the potential victims of flooding, adding “we cannot be receiving in the same area year after year and not having warnings for those living in the areas.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (Delta South) said the issue of flooding, rainstorm have become perennial disaster and suggested that government agencies must be proactive and be up to date in providing the needed information for people to get prepared for rains coming to their way .
He said not only getting people prepared, but “knowing when the rains will come and preparing for the disaster that will occur thereafter is very important”.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin who presided over the plenary proceedings added his voice to the call for NIMET not to wait for people ask for the information on flooding, but should make such information available at all times.
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