Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu Calls for Action on Floods and Epidemics at NEMA Launch
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, highlighted that the ongoing floods, which have displaced millions of Nigerians and triggered outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, continue to pose significant threats to the safety and well-being of citizens.
Speaking in Abuja during the launch of the 2024 Countrywide Risk Analysis by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Kalu stressed the importance of taking actionable steps to address these critical issues to create a safer and more resilient Nigeria.
Meanwhile, he emphasized the need for robust policymaking based on the findings from the analysis to mitigate these threats as he referred to the devastating impact of the 2022 floods, which displaced over 1.4 million Nigerians and resulted in significant economic losses.
He assured that the 10th House of Representatives is committed to utilizing these findings to develop policies that would increase funding for NEMA, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). These agencies would benefit from enhanced data collection and forecasting capabilities to better prepare for future disasters. Kalu added that constituency engagements would be key in addressing local vulnerabilities and strengthening disaster response at the grassroots level.
In his address, the Deputy Speaker called on the federal government to bolster early warning systems, specifically by utilizing real-time monitoring platforms like GeoGLOWS for flood alerts. He suggested that such tools should be incorporated into the national disaster response framework to improve preparedness and response times. Kalu also commended NEMA for its collaboration with various stakeholders in developing the comprehensive risk analysis, which he believes should serve as a foundation for informed legislation, oversight, and strategic partnerships aimed at safeguarding the country’s citizens.
Kalu concluded by reiterating the commitment of the legislative arm to supporting disaster risk management and promoting inter-agency cooperation. He emphasized the role of the National Assembly in ensuring that risk management strategies are backed by appropriate laws and budgets. He also highlighted the importance of a whole-of-society approach to disaster management, calling on international agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to continue supporting Nigeria’s efforts to enhance resilience and disaster preparedness.
