In an urgent motion presented on Thursday, October 24, Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, representing Delta North senatorial district, called on the Senate to intervene swiftly in providing relief to thousands of residents displaced by severe flooding in Delta North, Delta State.
Communities across Oshimili-South, Ndokwa West, and Ndokwa East Local Government Areas, including Oko-Amakom, Okpai, Aboh, and Abala-Uno, have been devastated as homes, farmlands, and schools remain submerged.
Speaking with urgency and compassion, Senator Nwoko described the desperate situation faced by residents forced to seek refuge in makeshift shelters, schools, and higher ground as the River Niger and its creeks overflowed.
"Several communities in Oshimili-South, Ndokwa West, and Ndokwa East Local Government Areas of Delta North Senatorial District have been severely affected by recent flooding, displacing residents from their homes and leaving them in dire need of emergency support," Senator Nwoko stated.
He detailed how entire communities, including Oko-Amakom, Oko-Obiokpu, Okpai, Aboh, and others, had been completely submerged, displacing families who are now sleeping outdoors or in temporary shelters. He emphasized the need for an immediate federal response to provide critical supplies and housing.
Following the motion, the Senate urged relevant federal agencies, particularly the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to take immediate action in providing emergency relief, including food, clean water, medical supplies, and temporary shelter, to the affected communities.
The key prayers of Senator Nwoko's motion include:
Federal Emergency Support: The Senate urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide immediate relief, including food, clean water, medical supplies, and temporary shelter, to address the urgent needs of displaced residents.
Establishment of IDP Camps: The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development was called upon to expedite the establishment of fully equipped Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the flood-hit areas to provide safe accommodations for the displaced.
Long-Term Solutions: The Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Works to consider dredging the River Niger and constructing embankments to provide a lasting solution to the recurring flooding problem.
Senate Committee Assessment: The Senate Committee on Environment was mandated to conduct an urgent assessment of the affected areas and recommend long-term solutions to prevent future occurrences of flooding that have plagued Delta North for years.
Senator Nwoko’s motion has brought national attention to the severe flooding that has devastated Delta North, ensuring that the urgent needs of the displaced communities are addressed with both immediate relief and long-term solutions.
