Nigerian Youth Parliament advocate for lasting solutions to Perennial Flooding
By Fatima Saka
The Nigerian Youth Parliament has raised major concern of devastating re-occurrences of flooding affecting some parts of the country, saying if the government does not find a lasting solution to the perennial flooding it will cause a backlog of development of the Federation.
As the Youth Parliament across the 36 states on Wednesday in Abuja converged on ways forward in development of the nation, in motion sponsored by dieprebra Solomon Bigbo, representing Bayelsa central and others co- sponsors.
Accordingly, the motion stated that as the nation is faced with many challenges and millions of citizens will at such times repeat this cycle of discomfort and financial crumble.
The Parliamentarians further resolved to recommendation, therefore calling on Federal government attention as follows:
“The government should set up a team of environmentalists and engineers to understand our condition and that of countries with similar terrains such as Holland who are managing flooding without damage to their land and citizenry in order to manage flooding.
“That as a nation, we should look away from emergency responses to preventing emergencies from occurring.
“The required, That an agency be established with a focus on the management of flooding to give attention as flooding has become a monster in our nation.
“That Victims Support Fund (VSF) be extended as an assistance to persons that are affected by the flood, and
“That Federal and State Ministries in charge of Housing or Urban Development, Nigerian Meteorological Agency NIMET) should be deliberate and monitoring and ensuring that houses are not built in waterways.
” Areas that may block the free flow of water and development of flood prone lands in accordance with global best practices and to make public warnings and potential flooding not only to the Governors but to all Nigerians,” the Parliamentarians.
The Speaker, Nigeria Youth Parliament, Hon. Azeezat Yishawu stated that most of the recommendations deliberated upon at plenary will go directly to the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, directed to the President.
“These recommendations get to those governments that will define the course, it’s going to be a place of a policy or an Act of Parliament.
“The objective of such a policy or engagement will be fully optimistic by next year.
“We’ll be having one of our policy proposals to advocate as a result of the citizens that we’ve had here today,” Madam Speaker.