House of Representatives seeks release of Ecological Funds to Flood prone states

by Alabi Usman

The Nigerian House of representatives has on Wednesday urged the federal government to release funds from the ecological fund to Osun state, and other states affected or threatened by flood. The House also authorized its Environment Emergency/Disaster Management to liaise with the Ministry of Environment and relevant agencies to promptly execute flood control projects.

Hon. Mojeed Alabi, member representing Ede North, South/Egbedore/Ejigbo federal constituency moved the motion which was considered by the house as that of urgent national importance, the House also noted that some flood prone states must initiate precautionary measures towards preventing flood.

Honourable Alabi further stated the flood has paralyzed the source of livelihood of its victims in Osun state, according to him there is need for an immediate intervention by way of emergency financial and material reliefs.

Alabi continued by stating that the alarming devastation caused by perennial incidence of flooding in Nigeria and its suffocating impact on the nation’s farmland, human habitation and sources of livelihood, with the attendant deleterious impact on accruable revenue for developmental purpose. He added that the early warning notices released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the annual flood outlook of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) suggested that about 11 states of the federation were prone to flooding.

Ymonitor recently has been following up on the use of ecological funds and the fact that most of the governors cannot account for the funds.