N/Delta reps demand minister’s resignation over flood figures

Members of the House of Representatives from Niger Delta on Monday urged the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, to resign following her recent claim that Bayelsa not among 10 most flood-hit states. The minister had also said Jigawa was the state worst hit by flood this year. But addressing […]

Members of the House of Representatives from Niger Delta on Monday urged the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, to resign following her recent claim that Bayelsa not among 10 most flood-hit states.

The minister had also said Jigawa was the state worst hit by flood this year.

But addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday on behalf of the other lawmakers, Fredrick Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa) described the minister’s statement as insensitive to the plight of the people of Niger Delta who lost lives and property to the flood.

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“The comments of the minister are at variance with the statement of the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, who declared Bayelsa a disaster zone.

“We call on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social

Development to honourably resign her appointment as a minister of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria failing which Mr. President should relieve her of her appointment immediately,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency yesterday warned that several states would experience another devastating flooding in 2023 if required precautions were not taken by government at all levels.

NEMA Director-General, Mustapha Mohammed, who appeared before the Senate Committee on Special Duties to defend his agency’s 2023 budget, said early warning directives to the states were ignored. 

The committee, chaired by Senator Yusuf Yusuf, urged the people of the affected states to hold their  governments accountable.

It also asked NEMA to go beyond distributing rice, beans and blankets to victims of flood but partner with state governments to set up camps for flood victims.