Hon. Benjamin Kalu leads Speakers of African Parliaments to a moment of silence in honour of victims of flood disaster in Nigeria

The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Thursday, September 19, 2024, delivered a powerful presentation at the Twelfth Annual Conference of the Speakers of Africa’s Regional and National Parliaments. Held at the Pan-African Parliament’s headquarters in Midrand, South Africa, the conference gathered African parliamentary leaders to address pressing issues, with climate change and its impact on the continent at the forefront. Hon. Kalu’s speech highlighted the devastating effects of climate change-induced flooding in Nigeria’s BAY states—Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe—and called for urgent action ahead of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29).

The BAY States Flooding Crisis: A Humanitarian Disaster

In his address, Hon. Kalu highlighted the devastating flood crisis that engulfed Nigeria’s BAY states from August to September 2024, a tragedy exacerbated by climate change. He shared harrowing details of how torrential rainfall, combined with the breach of the Kiri and Alau dams, led to widespread flooding that overwhelmed local capacities. Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, already grappling with economic and social challenges, were plunged into a humanitarian disaster. The hardest-hit areas, such as Maiduguri in Borno, saw unprecedented damage to infrastructure and livelihoods, displacing over one million people in Borno State alone.

The floodwaters, worsened by runoff from the Cameroonian highlands, wreaked havoc on homes, schools, farmlands, and essential infrastructure, leaving tens of thousands without shelter, food, or clean water. Communities that were already struggling with unemployment and poverty faced further devastation as critical infrastructure was washed away, roads and bridges were destroyed, and economic activity ground to a halt. Hon. Kalu’s impassioned appeal prompted a moment of silence by the African parliamentarians in honor of the victims of this crisis.

Socio-Economic Impact and Infrastructure Losses

The floods have severely compromised the socio-economic fabric of the BAY states. Agriculture, the economic backbone of the region, suffered colossal damage, with thousands of hectares of farmland destroyed. This has not only threatened food security but has also plunged families who rely on farming into financial instability. In Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, small and medium-sized businesses have also been forced to close due to the destruction of infrastructure, leading to mass unemployment in areas already struggling with high joblessness rates.

Hon. Kalu pointed to the severe damage to critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges in Maiduguri and Damboa LGAs (Borno), Madagali LGA (Adamawa), and several LGAs in Yobe. These losses have left entire communities cut off from essential services, delaying the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid and exacerbating the challenges faced by displaced populations.

Education Disruption

The impact of the floods on education was another focal point of Hon. Kalu’s presentation. With thousands of displaced individuals seeking refuge in public schools in Maiduguri, academic institutions across the region have had to suspend activities. School resumption in both public and private schools was postponed for two weeks to accommodate those displaced. The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Borno State University, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) were all forced to halt academic activities as a result of the disaster.

Humanitarian Response and Immediate Needs

Hon. Kalu underscored the urgent need for humanitarian aid in the BAY states, emphasizing that immediate efforts must focus on providing shelter, food, medical care, and clean water to the millions affected. He estimated the cost of the humanitarian response at $200 million, which would cover the most pressing needs such as emergency food distribution, medical supplies, and essential items like clothing and hygiene kits. Additionally, clean water and sanitation facilities are critical to preventing outbreaks of waterborne diseases, including cholera, which are already emerging in the flood-stricken areas.

Health and Environmental Risks

In his presentation, Hon. Kalu drew attention to the public health risks posed by the floods. Contaminated floodwaters carry harmful pathogens and pollutants such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, which can have long-term health consequences, particularly for children. Addressing the environmental and health implications of the floods is essential not only for the immediate recovery but also for the long-term resilience of the region.

Food Security and Agricultural Recovery

With agriculture decimated, the BAY states face a looming food security crisis. Hon. Kalu stressed the need for immediate agricultural support to help farmers restart their activities once the floodwaters recede. This includes providing seeds, tools, and other inputs to affected farmers, along with programs that offer alternative livelihoods for those who have lost their farms. Training in climate-smart agricultural practices could also help rebuild resilience in a region highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Transition to Sustainable Energy Sources

The destruction of traditional energy infrastructure during the floods highlighted the need for Africa to transition to more sustainable and resilient energy sources. Hon. Kalu advocated for the adoption of solar energy as a reliable and renewable power source that can provide electricity during extreme weather events. He also proposed exploring biogas production from the solid waste generated by the floods, which could offer an alternative energy solution while addressing environmental pollution.

A Call for Continental Support: The African Union’s Role

In his concluding remarks, Hon. Kalu made an urgent appeal to the African Union (AU) and fellow African nations for immediate intervention in the BAY states. He called for continental solidarity in mobilizing resources to provide humanitarian assistance, rebuild infrastructure, and support long-term recovery efforts. Nigeria, he emphasized, cannot tackle this crisis alone, and Africa must stand together in addressing the growing threat posed by climate change.

Hon. Kalu’s intervention at the Pan-African Parliament was a poignant reminder of the vulnerability of African nations to climate change. His appeal resonated with the broader theme of the conference, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts at COP29 and beyond to address the climate crisis and build a more resilient future for the continent.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The flood disaster in Nigeria’s BAY states is a tragic example of the growing impact of climate change on Africa. Hon. Kalu’s call for swift, coordinated action by the African Union and international community underscores the urgency of the situation. The immediate priority is to provide lifesaving assistance to those affected, but the long-term goal must be to build a climate-resilient Africa. By investing in sustainable energy, supporting agriculture, and strengthening infrastructure, Africa can mitigate the devastating effects of climate change and secure a safer future for its people.