Reps seek urgent FG intervention as flood, erosion ravage Ondo communities

The House of Representatives on Thursday called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the devastating floods and erosion that recently ravaged communities in Ile-Oluji, Okeigbo and Odigbo Federal Constituencies of Ondo State, leaving scores of residents displaced and destroying homes, farmlands and critical infrastructure.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Hon Festus Ayodele Adefiranye, representing Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency.

The motion was seconded by Hon Dabo Ismaila Haruna, who represents Toro Federal Constituency of Bauchi State.

Presenting the motion at plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Adefiranye, in a statement issued through his media office, said torrential rainfall recorded between 8 and 12 July 2026 had triggered severe flooding across several communities in Ile-Oluji and Okeigbo, causing widespread destruction of residential buildings, roads, drainage facilities, farmlands and other public infrastructure.

The lawmaker told the House that the disaster had displaced many residents, disrupted socio-economic activities and exposed affected communities to serious health, environmental and economic risks.

He lamented that farmers, traders and small business owners had suffered enormous losses as floodwaters washed away crops, goods and sources of livelihood, thereby worsening the vulnerability of victims and creating an urgent need for humanitarian assistance.

Adefiranye further noted that despite earlier flood warnings issued by relevant authorities, the magnitude of the disaster highlighted the need for immediate emergency intervention, as well as sustainable flood control measures to prevent a recurrence.

Following deliberations, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately provide relief materials, temporary shelters, medical care, psychosocial support and rehabilitation programmes for residents affected by the disaster.

The lawmakers also called on the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, alongside other relevant agencies, to construct and rehabilitate drainage systems, desilt waterways and implement comprehensive flood control infrastructure across flood-prone communities in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency.

In addition, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Environment and its relevant agencies to undertake the immediate dredging of River Olore to improve its carrying capacity, facilitate the free flow of stormwater, prevent overflow during heavy rainfall and reduce the recurring incidence of flooding in Ile-Oluji, Okeigbo and adjoining communities.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas commended Adefiranye for bringing the motion before the House, describing the issue as deserving urgent legislative attention.

The Speaker subsequently referred the motion to the House Committees on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Water Resources, Works, Ecological Fund and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation of the resolutions and report back for further legislative action.