The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the devastating floods affecting Delta State and other parts of the country, following the collapse of a section of the East-West Road at Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
The call followed a motion moved by Rep. Francis Waive, representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency, and seconded by Rep. Mukhtar Muhammad during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.
Presenting the motion, titled “Need for Federal Intervention to Address the Devastating Flood in Delta State and Other Parts of the Country,” Waive said persistent heavy rainfall had submerged homes, roads, schools and businesses, leaving families displaced and livelihoods destroyed.
He warned that the damage to the East-West Road, a major transport route connecting Delta State with Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and other parts of the South-South, posed serious threats to transportation, commercial activities and the movement of essential goods.
The lawmaker also expressed concern over the potential disruption of educational and healthcare services, as well as the heightened risks of road accidents and waterborne diseases arising from the flooding.
While commending the Delta State Government for its response to the disaster, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s visit to the affected area and efforts to carry out remedial work on the damaged highway, Waive stressed that the scale of the destruction required urgent federal assistance.
Consequently, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Works to mobilise the necessary resources to rehabilitate the damaged section of the East-West Road and restore safe passage for motorists.
It also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials and emergency assistance to communities affected by the floods in Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu local government areas.
In addition, lawmakers urged the Ecological Funds Office to implement lasting interventions to tackle the erosion challenges confronting Agbarho and reduce the risk of further damage.
To ensure implementation, the House mandated its Committees on Works, Emergency Preparedness and Ecological Funds to monitor compliance with the resolutions and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
Speaker Abbas subsequently referred the motion to the relevant committees for further consideration.
The intervention underscores growing concerns over the impact of flooding on critical infrastructure, livelihoods and public services, particularly in communities dependent on the East-West Road for transportation and economic activities.
