By Fatima Saka
The Nigeria Senate on Monday resolved to dredge the River Benue project and other rivers in the 2024 Appropriation Bill to address the perennial flooding and its multi-dimensions.
The followed in a motion for the need to prevent loss of lives caused by floods and undredged River Benue in Adamawa State, Sponsored by Sen. Abbas, Aminu lya representing Adamawa Central.
senatorial district.
The motion read: “Notes that River Benue is an international river flowing into Nigeria from the high land of Northern Cameroon through Jimeta in Adamawa State, Ibi in Taraba State, Makurdi in Benue State and finally meets River Niger at Lokoja;
“Aware that the volume of water flow of the River is adversely affected by climate change and construction of dams resulting to its uncontrol shrinking with devastating effects on agricultural activities such as dry season farming, floods, negative effects on inland waterways transportation;
“Further Aware that the River Benue flows across seven Local Government Areas of Fufore, Yola South, Yola North, Girel, Demsa, Numan and Lamurde which explained why Adamawa State is always affected by consequence of flood disaster largely caused by lack of dredging which in 2022 alone according to NEMA, displaced over 2.41 Million people and over 600 fatalities were recorded with expensive hectares of farm lands across the affected states swept off;
“Disturbed that as a result of flood by the River Benue, on Wednesday 1 November, 2023, 32 people were on board trying to cross the river at Garin Alaji near Chikito village where the boat capsized but only 7 bodies were discovered and 5 rescued alive, the remaining are unaccounted for up till now in addition to the earlier reported case where 53 people lost their lives in the same river; and
“Regrets that the Ferennial flood by River Benue and attendant consequences of loss of lives, displacement of people, and destruction of farmlands threatening food security will continue if urgent action is not taken to address the situation that apparently threatens the realization of the primary purpose of the government.”
After a careful deliberation by the Senate hereby resolved to the additional prayers include:
‘Urge the President to also facilitate the construction Dam’s alone with the Dasin Hausa Dam proposed to be in Fufore Local Government to curtail potential risk of excessive flood from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon;
“Also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to the victims of the deceased and embark on enlightenment on dangers of crossing rivers before or after rainfall; and
“Further urge National Inland WaterWays Authority to investigate the causes of an increased number of Boat Mishap in the State and enforcement of safety measures of the waterways.”
