The 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 wellbeing of people affected by flooding in the country.
Obidigwe, also the Vice Chairman, House Committee on Environment, made the call in Awka, yesterday, while speaking to journalists after a meeting with stakeholders in the environment and agriculture sector.
He stressed the need for a special intervention fund for over 15 states affected by perennial flooding. He said the proposed commission will manage ecological funds and interface with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, to cushion losses incurred by farmers by assisting them with grants to commence next year’s farming season.
He explained: “When flooding comes, we begin to talk about it and keep lamenting and making suggestions. But when the flood is over, we forget everything and do nothing that is proactive to avert future occurrences.
“The National Emergency Management Agency has been doing its best. But in view of monumental losses during the flooding, we need to establish a national ecological intervention commission.
“The commission will have some form of independence to handle and manage that special budget of, at least, N250 billion, to be allocated to the affected states.
“If we have the Niger Delta Development Commission for oil-producing states, there is nothing wrong in establishing similar agencies for states that are always affected by perennial flooding.”
Obidigwe lamented that flooding led to the destruction of farmlands, especially in Anambra, where farmers lost billions of naira. He added: “Most of these farmers, like in my constituency, borrow money to go back to farm. And when the flood comes, they loose their investments, and banks are on their necks, which is frustrating.
“I visited Anambra East and Anambra West to assist the farmers. But if the commission is established with the statutory budget of, at least, N250 billion, our farmers would have nothing to worry about.”
Source: Guardian.ng
