Plateau Assembly directs SEMA to provide relief to flood victims

The Plateau House of Assembly on Wednesday directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide relief materials to flood victims in the state.

The directive was made following a motion presented under ”matter of urgent public importance”, by the Minority Leader, Mr Henry Yunkwap, representing Shendam Constituency.

Yunkwap said the motion brought as a result of the recent flood that ravaged most communities in his constituency and rendered many homeless.

He said that all the villages his constituency located around the riverine areas were badly affected by flood occasioned by downpour.

”The disaster destroyed many houses and farmlands, which when quantified in monetary terms, will run into millions.

”It is a very pathetic situation. People did not plan for this and it affected them both physically and psychologically.

”I, therefore, urge this honourable House to call on government to intervene on this matter, with a view of providing succour to my people,” he said.

The lawmaker explained that Shendam Local Government Authority had started making arrangements to assist the victims, but the magnitude of damage done was beyond its strength.

Supporting the motion, Mr Ezekiel Afon, representing Pengana Constituency, described it as “apt”, saying the beauty of democracy lies in the ability of legislators to advocate for their people.

Afon said that the level of farming in Shendam was so high that when destroyed by flood, could lead to a problem of food shortage in the state.

”Shendam is one area that produces a lot of food, and by that, its contribution to the economy of this state cannot be over-emphasised.

”So, to avoid food shortage and drastic drop in the revenue profile of the state, we must act immediately,” he said.

Most of the lawmakers spoke in support of the motion and noted that other parts of the state were also affected by the problem as a result of the rainfall pattern.

Ruling, the Speaker, Mr Peter Azi, directed SEMA and other relevant agencies to ensure that flood victims in Shendam and other parts of the state were provided with adequate relief materials.

He said that they should be given necessary support to cushion the effect of their losses.