Members of Rivers State House of Assembly have pledged to strengthen environmental laws and equip institutions to effectively manage flood disasters.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Timothy Orubienimigha, stated this during a public hearing at the committee stage of the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency Bill 2024.
Stressing the importance of the bill, Orubienimigha said it would create a comprehensive framework that would help address emergencies and minimise impacts when eventually passed.
President, Society of Professional Disaster Risk Management of Nigeria, Dr Nwiyor Jerry, a participant at the session, commended members for prioritising the bill which also seeks to address the challenges of flooding.
He advised the lawmakers to ensure that the provisions of the bill are in harmony with that of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, so as to avoid incompatibility and duplication of duties.
The Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association in Rivers State, Diamond Tamunokuro, in his contributions, commended the lawmakers for initiating the bill at the peak of the rainy season.
He urged them to accelerate passage of the bill to enhance effective management of the flood as already predicted by NiMet.
NAN reports that the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency Bill 2024 is a private bill which seeks to provide for the establishment of the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency.
Representatives of civil society groups, professional bodies and labour unions also participated in the session.
