Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, says that the humanitarian impact of the flood disasters in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States in the North East region of Nigeria would need about $200 million to address.
Addressing the special session of the ongoing 12th Annual Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) of the African Union (AU) in Midrand, South Africa, Kalu said that over one million persons were displaced in one of the State by the natural disaster with tens of thousands of families without shelter, food, water and access to healthcare.
He said that flooding is one of the negative impacts of climate change in Africa which must be checked.
Kalu who is leading the Nigerian delegation to the conference told other African leaders that the tragedy has greatly affected the economy and the infrastructures of the states and the country at large.
He therefore called on the African Union and other international organizations to assist Nigeria in solving the humanitarian crisis even as the Parliament at his instance observed one minute silence in honour of those who died in the flood disaster.
He said: “It is obvious that across the length and breadth of our continent, the losses suffered from climate change is unquantifiable but the loss of lives is the one that is hard to bear. Whether it is in Nigeria, Mali and so on, you see our brothers and sisters weeping for the dead lost through the consequences of climate change.
“Currently Nigeria is going through one of the worst times in our history. For these ones we have lost through the consequences of climate change, I will like to request humbly that as leaders of this continent that we observe one minute silence for the dead.
“This presentation highlights what we are passing through in real terms on climate change. We are experiencing the impact of climate change all across the world and Africa is not left out. Nigeria recently witnessed climate change induced flooding that affected Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. This humanitarian crisis has dealt a heavy blow on our infrastructure and our economy.
“From August to September, these torrential rainfalls and subsequent bridge of major dams caused severe flooding causing a widespread destruction in communities facing social and economic challenges.
“Mr. President, Hon. colleagues, this particular flood has displaced over one million people in one state, and tens of thousands of families without shelter, food, water, ccess to healthcare.
“One of the consequences of climate change is job losses, in addition to the agricultural losses, this has crippled local businesses within these areas. There’s also infrastructure destruction, key roads, bridges broken down. Impact on education is huge because most of the centers are being used as IDP centres to house displaced people.
“The estimated cost of the humanitarian response for this flood impact is about $200 million, needed to be able to bring the place back to shape.
“How is the AU working to ensure a coordinated response to climate change induced crisis such as the recent flooding in Nigerian states
“Mr President, are there specific interventions frameworks in place on mobilizing resources for member states facing climate related disasters like Nigeria.
“This is me calling for help, giving visibility for what is happening in Nigeria. There’s a disaster area at the moment and we need all hands, AU, international organizations to come on board and help Nigeria.”
In a related development, Kalu while reacting to a presentation on the factors militating against the achievements of goals of Africa Free Trade Agreement (AfFTA) called for the removal of various bottlenecks.
“There are challenges confronting the achievement of the goals of these particular Africa Free Trade Agreement. One of which I have observed is the overlapping regional economic council membership. If we don’t remove the bottlenecks it will impede the success of which we intend to achieve. Trade adjustment cost has been also observed as one of the bottlenecks which is the transition to a single African market that requires significant adjustments in national economies. It’s a major challenge.
“It’s a bottleneck that we need to clear. How about capacity for domestication? Members may struggle to domesticate like you’ve rightly pointed out these protocols into national laws and policies in a timely manner”, he said.
