Reps Seek Federal Intervention as Floods Damage Delta’s East-West Road

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene following devastating floods in Delta State that submerged communities, displaced families and caused the collapse of a section of the East-West Road at Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Francis Waive, who represents Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency, and seconded by Mukhtar Muhammad during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Presenting the motion on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Waive said persistent heavy rainfall had submerged homes, schools, roads and business premises, destroyed livelihoods and disrupted economic activities in affected communities.

He warned that the damaged section of the East-West Road posed a serious threat to transportation and commercial activities across the South-South region. The highway is a major transport corridor linking Delta State with Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and other parts of the region.

The lawmaker also raised concerns about possible disruptions to healthcare and education services, as well as increased risks of road accidents and waterborne diseases as floodwaters continued to affect communities.

While acknowledging the Delta State Government’s response, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s visit to the affected area and efforts to restore temporary access along the highway, Waive maintained that the scale of the disaster required additional federal assistance.

The House consequently urged the Federal Ministry of Works to mobilise the necessary financial and technical resources to restore the damaged road. It also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials and emergency assistance to affected residents in Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu local government areas.

In a further move to address the recurring environmental challenges in Agbarho, lawmakers urged the Ecological Funds Office to implement lasting measures to tackle erosion and reduce the risk of further damage to communities and public infrastructure.

To monitor implementation, the House mandated its Committees on Works, Emergency Preparedness and Ecological Funds to oversee compliance with the resolutions and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

Speaker Abbas subsequently referred the motion to the relevant committees for further consideration.

The intervention sought by the lawmakers is intended to address both the immediate humanitarian consequences of the flooding and the longer-term infrastructure and erosion problems threatening affected communities.

The development adds to growing concerns over the vulnerability of Nigerian communities to flooding, particularly where damaged roads, inadequate drainage and erosion threaten access to essential services and economic activity.