By Editor
Rivers Assembly’s Urgent Call to the Federal Government: Will NEMA and Other Agencies Heed the Appeal?
PORT HARCOURT, Rivers State — As global environmental shifts continue to trigger increasingly frequent and devastating natural disasters, the imminent threat of a massive flood looms over Nigeria’s Rivers State. The escalating concern over this potential disaster dominated the 47th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session of the Tenth Assembly of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday, September 23, 2024. The lawmakers sounded the alarm bells, urging the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other federal agencies to include Rivers State in their flood response plan.
But will the federal government act swiftly enough to prevent another avoidable disaster? Or will the political machinery turn a deaf ear to the cries for proactive disaster management in one of Nigeria’s most crucial economic hubs?
Flood Disaster in the Making: Rivers State in the Crosshairs of the Lagdo Dam’s Released Waters
The Rivers State House of Assembly’s motion for urgent intervention is not without precedent. In recent weeks, alarming reports have circulated that the authorities in the Republic of Cameroon plan to release regulated amounts of water from the Lagdo Dam. This decision is being forced by weeks of torrential rainfall across West and Central Africa. Such water releases have historically caused catastrophic flooding in Nigerian states along the River Benue and Niger. This time, however, Rivers State’s lawmakers fear that the coastal waters will be overrun by the impending flood.
With the federal government already notified of Cameroon’s plans, the Rivers Assembly has called on NEMA and other relevant bodies to swiftly incorporate the state into the national flood response strategy. The stakes are high. If the agencies fail to act, vast portions of the state, particularly the coastal regions, could be underwater, displacing thousands, destroying critical infrastructure, and disrupting oil production in a region vital to Nigeria’s economy.
This terrifying possibility formed the basis of a motion raised by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol, during Monday’s legislative session.
Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol’s Motion: A Call for Immediate Action
The motion put forth by Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol laid out the facts starkly. The Deputy Speaker wasted no time in painting a grim picture of what Rivers State could face if the impending flood is not managed. Drawing from historical data and current projections, Maol warned that the situation is not only predictable but preventable if swift and adequate measures are put in place.
With passion and a sense of urgency, Maol implored his fellow lawmakers to pass the motion. He highlighted that Rivers State is particularly vulnerable due to its geographical location and the potential scale of the impending flood, which could surpass previous disasters. Citing the advance warning provided by Cameroon, Maol argued that federal agencies had no excuse for negligence or delay.
“Rivers State cannot afford to be left out of the flood response plan. We have the data, we have the projections, and we have the warnings from Cameroon. NEMA must act now, and we must ensure that our people are protected before it is too late,” Maol declared, his voice thick with concern.
Legislative Unanimity: Assembly Members Speak with One Voice
Maol’s motion sparked a fervent debate among Assembly members, though it was less of a debate and more of a unified call to action. Lawmakers, speaking in unison, rallied behind the motion, expressing their fears about the flood’s impact on their constituencies. Several members noted that many rural communities remain in the dark about the looming threat and have not been properly educated on the dangers of the imminent flood.
Hon. Inye Dumolu, a representative from one of the coastal constituencies, lamented, “Our people are unaware of the disaster that could soon hit them. The flood is not something we can afford to take lightly. This House has a responsibility to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect the citizens of Rivers State.”
Other lawmakers shared similar sentiments, underscoring the critical role of NEMA and other federal agencies in managing disasters of this magnitude. They reiterated the need for swift and decisive action, particularly in raising public awareness about the flood and ensuring that proper evacuation plans are in place.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule’s Mandate: The House Takes Action
The final say came from the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, who delivered a powerful verdict. Describing the motion as “well-intended,” Amaewhule mandated a joint task force to ensure that Rivers State is fully integrated into the national flood response strategy. He assigned the House Committee on Environment and the House Committee on Emergency Relief the responsibility of liaising with NEMA, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and other relevant federal agencies.
“This House will not rest until we are sure that adequate preparations are in place to mitigate this disaster,” Amaewhule declared. “The people of Rivers State are already seeing the floodwaters creep into their communities. We need answers, and we need them fast.”
The Speaker further tasked the joint committee with reporting back to the House within a week on the progress made in ensuring Rivers State’s inclusion in the flood response plan. The urgency of this timeline underscores the growing anxiety among lawmakers that time is running out, and disaster is just around the corner.
A Disaster Waiting to Happen? Rivers State and Nigeria’s Long History of Neglect in Flood Management
The Rivers State House of Assembly’s impassioned appeal is, unfortunately, not the first time the state has been left vulnerable to flooding. Historically, Nigeria’s disaster response system has been plagued by bureaucracy, inadequate funding, and a lack of coordination between federal, state, and local authorities.
Flooding in Rivers State has, in previous years, been catastrophic. Coastal erosion, poor drainage systems, and weak flood defences have left communities exposed. Yet, year after year, the state’s calls for increased federal intervention and support have largely fallen on deaf ears. As the memories of past floods linger—particularly the devastating flood of 2012—there is growing frustration that lessons have not been learned.
Moreover, Rivers State plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s oil production, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. An unchecked flood could wreak havoc on the state’s oil infrastructure, further crippling Nigeria’s already struggling economy. This economic dimension raises the stakes even higher, as failure to act could result in long-term damage not only to the state but to the nation as a whole.
Political Undercurrents: Is Rivers State Being Marginalised?
The political dynamics surrounding disaster management in Nigeria cannot be ignored. There is a growing perception among some that Rivers State is being sidelined by the federal government, particularly under the current administration. This belief, though not officially acknowledged, is fuelled by the state’s consistent exclusion from major national initiatives, its perceived opposition to certain federal policies, and the broader political landscape.
Is Rivers State being punished for its political stance? Or is this simply another example of the inefficiencies that have long plagued Nigeria’s disaster management apparatus? These questions loom large as lawmakers in Port Harcourt brace themselves for what could be a humanitarian disaster of monumental proportions.
Conclusion: Will NEMA and the Federal Government Step Up?
As the floodwaters continue to rise, one question remains: Will NEMA and the federal agencies responsible for disaster management answer the Rivers State House of Assembly’s call for inclusion in the flood response plan? Or will bureaucratic red tape, political machinations, and a history of neglect once again leave the people of Rivers State to fend for themselves in the face of disaster?
The coming days will reveal whether the federal government is truly prepared to protect the people of Rivers State or if the Assembly’s warnings will, like so many before them, go unheeded. One thing is clear: the time for action is now, and the consequences of inaction could be devastating.
