Tackling Incessant Flooding In Nigeria 

Every year, most states in the country experience severe flood disasters which has continued to pose a serious challenge to governments and other critical stakeholders.

Apart from lives that are being lost to the natural and human made disaster, thousands of buildings, farmlands, electrical and tele-communication installations worth billions of naira are destroyed as well.

In 2018, more than six hundred people were reportedly killed by floods that rendered homeless one point four million people in thirty three out of the thirty-six states.

Sadly, four years after, when the country was yet to recover from the 2018 flood disaster, another worst flood hit the country with over six hundred and three people killed and over one point four million people displaced.

About a week ago, the media was inundated with alarming reports of gradual release of water from Lagdo by the Cameroonian Authorities.

Although it is gratifying to note that there are assurances from the federal government to manage the release of water from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon.

There is the urgent need for the present administration to hasten the completion of the dam under construction in Adamawa state, and build many more dams in other parts of the country to absorb whatever volume of water released from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon.

There is also, the need by the relevant government agencies, community and religious authorities to redouble efforts in warning and alerting people residing close to the River Benue banks to relocate to higher grounds.

A lot is expected from governments of flood worst hit states of Kogi, Benue, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra to forestall massive loss of lives, and destruction of farmlands and buildings.

The states should take drastic precautionary steps to open water channels, and demolish structures built on waterways.

It is shocking that residents in the affected areas are often reluctant to move out despite flood warnings from relevant authorities.

It is gratifying that some state governments have put in place flood management committees at state and local government levels, as well as finalizing arrangements for establishment of internally displaced persons camps.

This is a step in the right direction. It is worthy of commendation that Benue State government has taken some measures to reduce the impact of flooding in areas most likely to be affected.

The government still needs to do more apart from the sensitization campaign to alert residents on possible flooding in parts of the state.

A number of ongoing ecological projects in Makurdi, the Benue State Capital should be completed and protected to avoid a situation where residents turn such projects to refuse dumps.

Similarly, Anambra State Government was said to have put its well-equipped Emergency Response Teams on high alert to provide immediate assistance in case of any flood disaster.

In Delta State, the Ministry of Information as well as the State Bureau of Information have embarked on series of sensitization campaign to many communities around the river Niger ahead of the ravaging flood.

Presently, the state Ministry of Environment is dredging water channels of flood affected areas to ensure the free flow of water, while swamp buggies are also being used to ensure blocked canals are opened to reduce the incidence of flooding.

The move by the Kogi State government to temporarily relocate communities in flood prone areas to higher ground for safety is commendable.

But the state government will have to intensify efforts in constructing more flood housing estates apart from the existing ones for permanent relocation of people presently living at the riverbanks and other flood prone areas.

Written By Sam Erhunmwunsee, Charity FM, Asaba