By Our Reporter
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) on Tuesday issued a stern call on the Federal Government to take decisive and preventive action to avert future flooding disasters across Nigeria.
This came during a Senate plenary following a motion raised in the wake of the recent catastrophic flood in Mokwa, Niger State.
The motion, sponsored by Senator Peter Jiya (Niger South) and supported by more than 20 senators, highlighted the devastating effects of the Mokwa flood, which reportedly claimed over 700 lives and caused property damage estimated at more than ₦10 billion.
In seconding the motion, Senator Umeh described the incident as an “avoidable tragedy,” lamenting what he termed as the authorities’ habitual neglect of early warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET).
“This wasn’t just a flood,” Umeh declared on the Senate floor. “It was a tragedy that gave every signal, yet no one acted.”
He condemned the inaction of relevant agencies and warned that Nigeria would continue to suffer annual flood-related disasters unless comprehensive preventive measures are taken.
He advocated for the dredging of major rivers such as the River Niger, the construction of robust drainage infrastructure, and the deployment of real-time flood warning systems across flood-prone regions.
Senator Umeh also cautioned that rainfall projections for July point to the urgent need for proactive interventions rather than reactive measures such as condolence visits and relief efforts after disaster strikes.
“The pattern is predictable. The risks are known. The time to act is now,” he said.
Known for his vocal advocacy on national issues, Umeh’s impassioned plea resonated beyond his constituency, capturing the concerns of millions of Nigerians vulnerable to recurring environmental calamities.
His remarks further underscored the need for a national strategy that treats flood prevention not just as an environmental issue but as a matter of public safety and governance.
With climate change accelerating and rainfall intensifying, lawmakers agreed on the need to prioritize mitigation efforts before more lives and livelihoods are lost to what many have described as a preventable crisis.
