Floods, cholera, conflicts threaten Nigerians’ safety — Deputy Speaker, Kalu

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Thursday, averred that the ravaging flood, which displaced millions of Nigerians and prompted outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, and conflicts remained major threats to the safety and well-being of the citizens.

Hon. Kalu stated this in Abuja while delivering his address at the launch of the updated 2024 countrywide risk analysis for Nigeria by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

He said that the findings of this analysis underscore that these critical issues remain major threats; hence, actionable steps are required towards a safer, more resilient Nigeria.

He recalled that in 2022, flooding displaced over 1.4 million Nigerians and caused wanton economic losses.

Hon. Kalu reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th House of Representatives to leverage these insights for robust policymaking, exploring motions and budgetary allocations aimed at increasing funding for NEMA, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to expand their data collection and forecasting capabilities.

He assured that through constituency engagements, legislators can drive risk-informed programs that address local vulnerabilities and build grassroots capacities for disaster response.

The Deputy Speaker also urged the Federal government to strengthen early warning systems by leveraging the real-time monitoring tools provided by platforms like GeoGLOWS for flood alerts.

Tools like these, he opined should be codified into the national disaster response framework.

Commending NEMA for its outstanding collaboration with stakeholders in developing this comprehensive analysis, he urged his colleagues in the National Assembly to use the insights provided in this document as a springboard for framing informed legislation, oversight actions, and strategic partnerships that safeguard lives and livelihoods.

He said, “It is with a deep sense of national duty that I address this nationally important gathering at the launch of the updated 2024 Countrywide Risk Analysis for Nigeria. This landmark work is both timely and essential, particularly as we face an increasingly complex risk landscape that threatens lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure across our nation.

“The findings of this analysis underscore critical issues: flooding and epidemics remain major threats to the safety and well-being of our citizens. In 2022, for example, flooding displaced over 1.4 million Nigerians and caused wanton economic losses, according to available data.

“Similarly, conflict and violence incidents have caused widespread displacement and exacerbated vulnerabilities in communities nationwide. Epidemics such as cholera continue to expose gaps in health infrastructure and resilience mechanisms.

“As the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, I reaffirm our commitment to leveraging these insights for robust policymaking. The legislative arm of government has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that Nigeria’s risk management strategies are backed by appropriate laws and budgets.

“In alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we will continue to put forward legislation prioritising disaster risk reduction, fostering inter-agency collaboration, and ensuring equitable resource distribution to vulnerable communities.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda under President Tinubu’s administration provides a clear roadmap for inclusive development. Initiatives like this updated risk analysis are integral to achieving national resilience. Let me emphasise that disaster risk management is not the sole responsibility of the government; it requires a whole of society approach.

“I commend the continued support of international agencies, NGOs, and private sector actors. In conclusion, let this launch not only mark the unveiling of a document but also ignite actionable steps towards a safer, more resilient Nigeria. Together, we can mitigate risks, enhance preparedness, and strengthen our collective future.”

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