The senate has urged President Bola Tinubu to facilitate the construction of Dasin Hausa Dam to curtail potential risk of excessive flood from Lagdo dam in Cameroon.
Specifically, the red chamber urged the National Inland Ways Authority to investigate causes of increased cases of boat mishap in Adamawa State.
The senate also resolved to facilitate the inclusion of the dredging of River Benue project in the 2024 appropriation bill to address the perennial flooding and it’s multi dimensional consequences.
This is sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Aminu Abbas (PDP, Adamawa Central) on the floor of the senate on Monday.
The motion titled: “Need to prevent loss of lives caused by floods and undredged River Benue in Adamawa State, Senator Abbas noted that as a result of flood by the river Benue on Wednesday, 1st November, 2023, no fewer than 32 people were on board trying to cross the river at Garin Alaji where a boat capsized but only seven bodies were discoverer and five rescued alive.
He added that the remaining are unaccounted for up till now in addition to the earlier reported case where 53 people lost their lives in the same river.
He however bemoaned the perennial flood by River Benue and attendant consequences of loss of lives, displacement of people, and destruction of farmlands, threatening food security will continue if urgent action is not taken to address the situation that apparently threatens the realization of primary purpose of government.
Consequently, the upper legislative chamber urged NEMA to provide relief materials to the victims and embark on enlightenment on dangers of crossing Rivers before or rainfall.
