Senate Demands Urgent Relief for Flood Victims in Southeast

The Senate of Nigeria has appealed to the executive branch for immediate relief for communities devastated by flooding and erosion in Anambra, Imo, and Ebonyi States. They demanded urgent intervention to protect lives and restore infrastructure.

The Senate called for emergency repairs and comprehensive reconstruction of the Onitsha–Iyiowa–Odekpe–Atani–Ogwuikpele–Ndoni Federal Highway, emphasizing its deteriorating condition and its significance for economic activities linking the South-East and South-South regions. Senators Tony Nwoye, Victor Umeh, Anthony Ani, and Osita Izunaso highlighted the adverse effects of flooding on their constituencies.

The Senate requested the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide food, medical supplies, and relief materials to affected residents. They also directed relevant federal ministries to assess the damage and recommend measures to address ecological challenges.

The highway, constructed in the late 1980s, has suffered from neglect and is characterized by deep potholes and severe erosion, increasing travel time and costs for commuters.