The senate has asked President Bola Tinubu to direct the Immediate dredging of Rivers Niger and Benue, as part of preventive methods against flooding and facilitate its inclusion into the 2025 budget.

The Upper legislative chamber adopted the resolution following a motion moved by Sen. Amos Yohanna on the urgent need for intervention in the Humanitarian crisis caused by Flooding in Adamawa North Senatorial district.

A general view of flood water surrounding a building in Maiduguri on September 10, 2024. – Flood water from an overflowing dam has destroyed tens of houses in Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno state in northeast Nigeria, with emergency officials fearing the situation could get worse.

An epicentre of more than a decade-long jihadist insurgency, Maiduguri serves as the hub for the responses to the humanitarian crisis in the northeast region.

The United Nations refugee agency in Nigeria (UNHCR) said on its X account that it is the city�s worst flooding in 30 years.

It would be recalled that in 2024, the Senate had at an emergency session equally resolved to facilitate the inclusion of the dredging of River Benue, River Niger, and other river projects in the 2024 Appropriation Bill. The plan was expected to help combat recurring flooding and its effects around the country.

In his lead debate today, Sen. Yohanna noted that there was massive flooding that caused catastrophic destruction in the Five Local Governments 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 to as a matter of urgent priority reach out to the affected communities and provide relief materials to the victims.

An injured man grimaces in pain as he arrives for treatment after a wave of suicide attacks in the North East of Nigeria, in Maiduguri on June 29, 2024.

Residents carry their salvaged belongings on a motorcycle in Maiduguri on September 10, 2024. – Flood water from an overflowing dam has destroyed tens of houses in Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno state in northeast Nigeria, with emergency officials fearing the situation could get worse.

An epicentre of more than a decade-long jihadist insurgency, Maiduguri serves as the hub for the responses to the humanitarian crisis in the northeast region.
The United Nations refugee agency in Nigeria (UNHCR) said on its X account that it is the city�s worst flooding in 30 years

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