As the effects of the devastating flood that ravaged many states in Nigeria continue to ease, a Member representing Anambra East and West Federal Constituency, Chief Chinedu Obidigwe, has called for the establishment of a National Ecological Intervention Commission to safeguard the well-being of people affected by flooding in the country.
Obidigwe who is also the Vice Chairman of, the House Committee on Environment, made the call while speaking to journalists after a meeting with stakeholders in the environment and agricultural sector on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, in Awka, Anambra State.
According to him, there is a need for a special intervention fund for over 15 states that were yearly affected by the perennial flooding in the country and the commission that would also interface with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to cushion the losses incurred by farmers by assisting them with grants to commence next year’s farming season, will manage the ecological funds which were withdrawn from being part of Federal Allocations to the states.
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“If we have the Niger Delta Development Commission for oil-producing states, there is nothing wrong in establishing similar agencies for the states that are always affected by the perennial flooding,” he was quoted to have said.
Obidigwe lamented that flooding led to the destruction of farmlands, especially in Anambra where farmers lost billions of Naira.
He said he spent over N2 billion to assist farmers and fishermen in his constituency but regretted that it is not enough to cushion the losses incurred.
“Most of these farmers, like in my constituency, borrow money to go back to the farm and when the flood comes they lose their investments and the banks are on their necks which is frustrating.
“I visited Anambra East and Anambra West to assist the farmers with about N2 billion, but if the Commission is established with the statutory budget of at least N250 billion, our farmers would have nothing to worry about,” he said.
Obidigwe called for the dredging of the Omabala River and the creation of irrigation to assist farmers to embark on dry-season cultivation.
“Omabala River should be dredged and irrigation created to assist our farmers and this will also reduce the volume of water during the perennial flooding. The time is now before August or September,” he said.
Story was adapted from Environnewsnigeria.
