The House of Representatives Committee on Environment summoned the Minister of Environment and the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Tuesday over the devastating gully erosion, perennial flooding, and desertification in many communities in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon Pondi Gbabojor, handed down the order at the Public hearing organised by the Committee to address the adverse impacts of gully erosion in several communities across six states, namely, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, and Ondo, as well as the desertification disaster in Kano and the flooding disaster in Bauchi State, but failed to appear or send representation
All the heads of the invited agencies were equally absent, did not send any representatives, and were directed to appear along with the Minister at the next sitting or be sanctioned
Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon Gbabojor, said that the Committee was displeased by their behaviour as it was the second time they were shunning the invitation extended to them
According to him, “Clerk, write a letter to the Ministry of Environment and NEMA and express the displeasure of the committee because this is the second time they are not showing up, and it would not be condoned again.
He stressed that the issue to be addressed was of urgent concern to the wellbeing of Nigerians.
He said the concerns were brought to the attention of the House following the deliberation of some motions, which were accordingly referred for further legislative action.
He said that the environmental crisis resulting from gully erosion was more prevalent in the south-eastern region and had reached an alarming stage.
He said the degradation has not only depleted the vast fertile land for agriculture but has also impacted the infrastructure, such as roads and buildings, and ultimately the displacement of communities.
The Committee Chairman said that over time, perennial flooding had also unleashed its devastating consequences in many parts of Nigeria, especially in coastal and riverine areas, particularly Lagos, Delta, and Bayelsa.
This, he said, had resulted in great human, agricultural, and economic losses. adding that desertification, particularly in the northern parts, was swiftly encroaching.
According to him, “As the Committee on Environment, alongside other pertinent committees of the House, we recognise the urgent need to address these challenges comprehensively and to chart a course towards sustainable solutions that will protect our environment and provide relief to the affected individuals and communities.
“It is in light of the above that this hearing is convened today to enable us to gather insights from experts, stakeholders, and affected communities and to deliberate on the multifaceted and severe environmental crises we face as a nation.
He said the House, following its consideration of the motions, called on institutions of government to, amongst others, provide immediate relief materials to ameliorate the sufferings of the affected residents and possibly resettle them; visit the affected areas and carry out a comprehensive review to ascertain the extent of environmental damage caused by these incidents; and expedite the construction of shoreline protection as a matter of urgency to prevent further erosion-related damage and ensure the survival of these communities.
He said that they were also to embark on a mass afforestation programme that would include the planting of economic trees, the development of shelter belts and woodlots to enhance soil conservation, improve biodiversity, and increase fuel wood, while also providing seeds and farm inputs that were resistant to drought, prioritising projects that promote environmental conservation in budgetary allocations, and allocating funds to accommodate the erosion control projects, flood management systems, and desertification prevention programmes in the affected communities in the 2025 Appropriation Act.
According to him, “We must take proactive measures to forestall natural occurrences that lead to environmental degradation. This includes investing in research and development to better understand and predict environmental changes by adhering to early warning systems and developing resilient infrastructure that can withstand environmental shocks.
“While I look forward to fruitful discussions and valuable insights that will emerge from this hearing, which will hopefully shape the future of our environment and the well-being of our people,. I urge everyone to approach and accord this task the seriousness it demands and the collaborative spirit it requires. Together, we can develop and implement strategies that will protect our environment, provide relief to those affected, and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all Nigerians.”
In his opening remarks, the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas, pointed out that the prevalence of climate change had impacted the environment harmfully, resulting in an increased wave of erosion, desertification, flooding, and other forms of natural disasters that have assumed severe and worrisome dimensions in the vulnerable communities across the 36 states of the Federation.
He said that the ecological threats have specifically caused deaths, displacement of homes, devastation of farmlands and means of livelihood, and destruction of infrastructure, leading to socio-economic challenges in communities across the eight states captured in the public hearing.
The Speaker, who was represented by the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Abdullahi Halims, said, “As the People’s Parliament and in line with our legislative agenda of embarking on legislative processes and legal frameworks to address environmental challenges, the House resolved to respond urgently to the menace in the communities to stem the ugly tide. On this note, I urge you to feel free to make your contributions in the most resourceful and open manner possible to provoke positive legislative results.”
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