Senate directs NEMA to mobilise relief materials to Ondo flood victims
The Senate has urged National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently mobilise relief materials to the people displaced by the devastating flood in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
This followed the adoption of a motion at plenary on Tuesday, sponsored by Sen. Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC-Ondo).
Adegbonmire, in his motion under matter of urgent national importance, said more than 1,000 homes, 25 schools, 20 worship centres and over 7,000 people were affected and rendered homeless, following the Oct. 4 downpour of in the local government area.
He said that the downpour had displaced thousands of people and caused significant damage across various communities in Ondo Central Senatorial District.
The senator particularly said that the flooding affected such communities as: Itanla, Oka, Odojomu, Oke-Odunwo, Bethlehem, Olorunishola, Fagun and Jilalu.
Others, he said, included: New Town, Gani Street, Yaba Police Station, Ademulegun road, Akure-Ondo expressway and Ife road communities.
Adegbonmire said that the natural disaster affected the most vulnerable group, including women, children and the elderly.
“Some children were declared missing while property worth millions of naira were destroyed.
“Residents of the affected communities now find themselves homeless by the flood disaster, as their houses and vehicles in the affected streets were submerged,” he said.
The lawmaker said that the situation, which he described as pathetic, had inflicted untold hardship on the affected residents, particularly children, the elderly, shop owners and small-scale business owners.
Aside the loss of lives, he said that property, means of livelihood, shelter, security, food, medical care, clean water and electricity were also affected.
Sen. Shehu Kaka (APC-Borno), who seconded the motion, said he could feel the pains of the sponsor of the motion over the devastating flood in Ondo, given the similar issue that occurred in his state.
Kaka urged the senators to support the motion.
The senate, in its other resolutions on the motion, urged Ondo State government to conduct an on-the-spot assessment to find lasting solutions to the frequent menace of flooding in the affected areas.
The lawmakers requested the Federal Ministry of Power to ensure that Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) restored electricity supply to the affected areas.
It further urged the Federal Government to develop a swift and robust response to natural disasters of this nature.
President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, thanked the sponsor of the motion and prayed that succour would come the way of the displaced victims.
Akpabio also condoled with the families who lost their loved ones in the incident.
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