Rivers Legislators Pledge Flood Disaster Management

The Rivers State House of Assembly members have vowed to reinforce environmental regulations and empower state agencies to efficiently manage flood emergencies.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Timothy Orubienimigha, stated that the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency Bill 2024 would create a comprehensive framework to address emergencies and minimise impacts when eventually passed.

President of the Society of Professional Disaster Risk Management of Nigeria, Dr. Nwiyor Jerry, commended the lawmakers for prioritising the bill and advised them to ensure its provisions were in harmony with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to avoid incompatibility and duplication of duties.

Chairman of the Rivers chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Diamond Tamunokuro, commended the lawmakers for initiating the bill at the peak of the rainy season and urged them to accelerate its passage to enhance effective management of the 2024 flood as predicted by NiMet.

Representatives of civil society groups, professional bodies, and labour unions also participated in the session.