By Abdullahi Lukman
The House of Representatives has inaugurated an ad-hoc committee on flood management and response to tackle the growing impact of flooding across Nigeria.
Speaker of the House, Tajuddeen Abbas, represented by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, said the initiative was a crucial step toward addressing one of the country’s most pressing challenges.
He noted that flooding has continued to displace thousands, destroy farmlands, damage infrastructure, and threaten national development.
“The House expects this committee to identify both immediate and long-term solutions to mitigate the effects of flooding,” he said.
“It is our duty as lawmakers to anticipate challenges, strengthen institutions, and ensure government responses meet the needs of the people.”
The Speaker emphasized the importance of collaboration with relevant government agencies, including those responsible for emergency response, water resources, health, works and housing, and the Nigerian Space Agency, which can assist with satellite mapping for flood-prone areas.
He also tasked the committee with identifying legislative gaps that may be weakening Nigeria’s flood response system.
“Where existing laws are outdated or insufficient, the House will act to strengthen them,” he added.
Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee, Hon. Midala Balami, described the inauguration as a call to action.
He said flooding was no longer a seasonal inconvenience but a recurring national emergency that demanded urgent, strategic, and sustained attention.
“Our goal is to investigate root causes, assess agency preparedness, engage stakeholders at all levels, and recommend practical, science-backed measures to reduce flood impacts,” Balami said.
“We are committed to transparency and inclusiveness throughout this process.”
He stressed the need for a comprehensive national framework to address flooding, one that includes prevention, early warning systems, infrastructure development, and climate adaptation strategies.
Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Tanko Sununu, in a goodwill message, warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis.
He said over three million Nigerians remain internally displaced due to flooding, insecurity, and other disasters, with many at risk of hunger and malnutrition.
“Global humanitarian funding is shrinking, and Nigeria is not exempt,” Sununu noted, citing the World Food Programme’s recent suspension of services that had supported over 1.2 million Nigerians in the North-East.
Other goodwill messages came from representatives of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, and other relevant agencies, all expressing support for the committee’s mandate and urging swift, coordinated action.
