Emmanuel Kilaso, a climate change expert, has raised alarm over the flood situation in Warewa area along Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Ogun State.
Kilaso, who visited the scene last Friday with his team at the Securecycle Climate Change and Environmental Initiative (SECCI), a not-for-profit organization advocating eco-friendly climate solutions through innovative approaches, explained that some parts of the residential houses and businesses in the area are all submerged in water.
Recall that the Tribune Online published a story on the sad fate of the residents of low-lying communities of the state who are troubled by the flood.
Reacting to the development, the climate specialist said the rationale behind the excessive flood situation is the threat to mangroves as a result of human activities such as urban development, aquaculture, and land reclamation.
“Coastal areas that once had mangroves to mitigate flooding are now at higher risk. Heavy rainfall, high tides, and storm surges can result in devastating floods, impacting human settlements, agriculture, and infrastructure
“With the destruction of mangroves, the natural coastal barriers that absorb and dissipate wave energy are lost. This leaves coastal communities vulnerable to the full force of waves and storm surges during extreme weather events,” he told Tribune Online.
Speaking further, the environmental specialist said that mangroves are unique ecosystems that serve as natural buffers between land and water, playing a crucial role in coastal protection and biodiversity conservation.
“However, the loss of mangrove areas due to land encroachment has become a growing concern, especially in regions which do not fall under the forest reserve which is a protected area. This loss not only threatens the delicate balance of these ecosystems but also exacerbates the risk of flooding”.
Calling on the Ogun State government and the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Environment to take proactive measures to control the waterlogged areas of the state, Kilaso said the government needs to strengthen and enforce existing laws that protect mangroves, reforest the lost mangroves area and regulate land encroachment in coastal areas.
“The rapid loss of mangrove areas in the Kara and Arepo region of Ogun State poses a significant threat to the environment and the well-being of coastal communities. Government intervention is urgently needed to protect and restore these vital ecosystems.
“By taking action to safeguard mangroves, the government can mitigate the risk of flooding, protect coastal communities, and preserve biodiversity,” he maintained.
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