By Chukwuma Umeorah
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to be more proactive in responding to the issue of flooding across the country which has caused devastating effects in over 25 states reeling untold hardship for residents of affected communities.
Serving as part of the resolution reached at the end of the regular meeting of the NLC National Executive Council (NEC), which held on Monday in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, It called on the government to access the level of damage caused by the devastating flood in some states as well as to take necessary actions to mitigate further destruction.
According to the NEC, the current issue of flood should be treated as a national emergency given the extent of damage already created by it. The NEC called on the Federal, States and Local Governments to put in place adequate mitigating measures including construction of catchment dams, clearing of water channels and effective use of ecological funds to address environmental issues in Nigeria.
While sympathising with the victims of the flooding currently ravaging several states, the NEC warned that the effects of the flood could be more intense considering the recent warnings of worsening climate change. They linked the current flooding and the threat of climate change to the failure of government to put in place adequate mitigating measures to reduce the impact of the flooding on people, communities and businesses.
Decrying the extent of damage, the NEC urged government at all levels to ensure adequate compensation for lives lost and property destroyed in the frequent episode of national flooding.
Furthermore, the NEC requested that humanitarian assistance, sanitary support, clean water, malaria nets and drugs should be quickly provided for impacted communities to avoid possible outbreak of cholera, dysentery, and malaria. Deployment of Just Transition initiatives to reduce carbon emission especially gas flaring and other harmful industrial practices that harm the environment and shift towards a green economy in a manner that ensures that no worker is left behind.