Relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies have been advised to disburse funds for the clearing of drainages and dredging of canals nationwide, as a matter of urgency.
This is to prevent flooding to homes, businesses, farms and utilities, where possible, as the 2023 rainy season gathers momentum.
The call came from the Senate, following a motion which recalled the displacement and discomfort to teeming Nigerians in Ogun, Kwara and other parts of the country.
In this light, Ali Ndume, Senate Majority Whip, recalled a motion he had raised in the 9th Assembly on the uneven disbursement of loans to the six geopolitical zones by the Development Bank of Nigeria.
Following meetings with the Bank of Industry, the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders, the Ninth Senate had recommended that the banks should reduce the criteria for accessing the loans, especially to Nigerians in less-developed states.
Ndume recalled the motion on Wednesday.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio later ruled that the Clerk investigate if the Senate’s recommendations on this matter had been presented to the executive.
Following on this, the Senate urged relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to release funds for dredging blocked canals.
The Senate also resolved that the proposed construction of dams be revisited to take in excess waters from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
