The House of Representatives Committee on Ecological Funds has pledged to address ecological challenges that ravage communities in the country.
Chairman, House Committee on Ecological Funds, Aminu Jaji, made the pledge when he led other members to assess the impacts of flooding in some communities in Enugu State on Monday, October 7, 2024.
The communities include Amechi Idodo, Amauzam Amagunze, Ihuokpara and Nkerefi communities in Nkanu East and Mpu, Okpanku, Oduma and Nenwe in Aninri Council Areas.
Jaji explained that they decided to embark on the fact-finding visit to see things for themselves.
He assured that substantial funds would be made available to address the situation.
“We have selected some states. Now, we have seen the level and magnitude of the flooding and other ecological issues that we are here to identify.
“We are equally here to find a lasting solution to most of the ecological issues that we have across the country.
“Before we took over the leadership of this committee, there were so many things that went wrong, and now we are trying to correct the public perceptions regarding the Ecological Fund,” he said.
He also assured that the committee would deviate from the tradition of giving piecemeal to the states to address the challenges.
“Now, we are looking at the real problem. Our assessment here is that the devastation will not only affect the communities but will also have some significant impact on the economy.
“As far as farmlands and the houses are submerged, leading to displacement, there will be a decline in the national security of the country. So, we are trying to see how we can provide remedy to these challenges.
“We will make sure that we provide substantial funds that will cater for such problems,” Jaji added.
Addressing newsmen, the Coordinator, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mrs Chinasa Mbah, who accompanied the team, narrated how flooding and other ecological issues had caused devastation in parts of the state.
The coordinator stressed that people in the affected areas were passing through difficulties because their houses and means of livelihood had been destroyed.
She called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to swiftly come to the aid of the affected people of the state to ameliorate their pains.
Mbah urged the agency to find lasting solutions to some of the ecological challenges affecting the state.
“The impact of the flood is too high on the Enugu State citizens. When you go to these affected areas, which we visited today, you will discover that the people are actually suffering as a result of the flooding and other ecological issues in the state.
“We need the National Emergency Management Agency, as soon as possible, because the citizens are really affected,” she stated.
By Alex Enebeli
