Plenary of the Liberian Senate has mandated its Joint Committee on Public Works, Mines and Energy, Natural Resources and Environment, as well as Public Corporations to invite the Environmental Protection Agency, Public Works and Disaster Management Agency to submit plans to solve or minimize the alarming waves of flood disaster in the country.
The Senate Press Bureau said the decision was triggered by a debate on a report submitted to Plenary by the Joint Committee.
According to a release, Plenary recently mandated the Joint Committee to probe into complaint filed by Monsterrado County Senator Saah Joseph regarding severe flooding in Monrovia and its environs, which according to him is destroying properties and displacing several residents.
Following the debate, Plenary endorsed the Joint Committee’s recommendations which amongst other things called for the responsibilities and efforts of the Ministry of Public works, Environmental Protection Agency, Liberia Land Authority, National Disaster Management Agency, Ministry of Justice, City Corporations and other concerned Agencies to be properly coordinated through the establishment of an institutional framework to effectively address the flood issues confronting victims and to mitigate the effects of floods.
At the same time, the Joint Committee called on Government to carry out effective awareness campaigns, from time to time, to educate the public about the zoning laws and environmental laws as it relates to flooding and human activities that aggravate the flooding situation.
The Committee also recommended that buildings already constructed on wetlands, waterways and alleys causing massive flooding be demolished in line with laws appertaining thereto among others.
