The House of Representatives has urged the government, through the Federal Ministries of Water Resources, to begin desilting the country’s major dams and rivers to prevent excessive flooding that threatens the lives and property of citizens in the country.
Mohammed Shehu who made the call while raising a motion during plenary, stressed that proper cleaning up of major dams and rivers would promote irrigation farming, leading to increased food production for both domestic consumption and export, thereby contributing to the nation’s economic development.
He noted that annual flooding is destroying farmers’ efforts, causing billions of dollars in losses.
Expressing concern, Shehu stated that 80% of Nigerian farmers have experienced significant crop losses, resulting in debt and forcing many to exit the farming business.
