The Nigerian Senate has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the immediate dredging of Rivers Niger and Benue as a preventive measure against flooding. The Senate also instructed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to reach out to affected communities and provide relief materials to victims. Furthermore, they urged the President to include the dredging of both rivers in the 2025 budget.
In addition, the Upper Chamber requested the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to intervene in the rehabilitation of Shuwa, Jigalambu, and Baladega Bridges. The Senate mandated the committee on legislative compliance to ensure that both NEMA and FERMA adhere to these resolutions.
Earlier this year, during an emergency session, the Senate had resolved to facilitate the inclusion of the dredging of Rivers Niger, Benue, and other river projects in the 2024 Appropriation Bill. This initiative was anticipated to help combat recurring flooding and its devastating effects across the country.
These recent resolutions arose from a motion sponsored by Senator Amos K. Yohanna of the PDP, representing Adamawa North. Senator Yohanna highlighted the catastrophic flooding that impacted five local governments within his senatorial district—Madagali, Maiha, Michika, Mubi North, and Mubi South—resulting in the destruction of hundreds of houses and farmlands.
He stated, “The Senate notes that there was massive flooding that caused catastrophic destruction in the five local governments of Adamawa North senatorial district. Further, hundreds of houses and farmlands were destroyed, and multiple culverts and bridges in Shuwa (Madagali LGA), Jigalambu, Watu, Kudzum (Michika LGA), and the Baladega Bridge along the Mubi-Maiha road were washed away. Tragically, some lives were also lost.”
Senator Yohanna expressed concern that the flooding situation has overwhelmed local capacities, leaving thousands in dire need of urgent humanitarian assistance in areas such as Kirchinga, Shuwa, Gulak (Madagali LGA), Dzuragu (Michika LGA), Mayo Bani (Mubi North LGA), and Konkol (Maiha LGA). He emphasized that the flooding exacerbates the already challenging economic and security conditions, potentially leading to a relapse in the internally displaced persons (IDPs) crisis, as many displaced individuals are currently seeking refuge in schools.