THERE are floods everywhere. Since July when the rainfall began, with Nigeria’s two main rivers, the Niger and the Benue, bursting their banks, it has been endless tales of sorrow and bitter tears. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), nearly 250,000 households in the country are at risk after heavy rains caused flooding that has inundated 80 per cent of the country. The flooding has affected 34 of the country’s 36 states and caused over 141 deaths.
The effects of the flooding have indeed been horrendous. For instance, in Anambra State, two cathedrals belonging to the Anglican Church and a naval post in the state were submerged, together with hundreds of houses in 16 communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
ALSO READ: #OsunRerun: We reject this violent sham operation called supplementary poll ― Adeleke Campaign Org
In Benue State, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) declared the state a flood risk zone following days of steady rise in the water level in River Benue. With reports from officials in Cameroon indicating that the water in the Lagdo dam might be released depending on the level, the state government said it was taking precautionary measures, including aggressive sensitisation campaigns across the state to enlighten the citizenry on the menace. Alarmed by the intensity of the flood, the Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, even wondered if it had been raining acid in the state. In many states, farms and farm produce have been destroyed. The flooding has also claimed vehicles, houses and other valuable properties. In Delta State, some of the victims refused to move out of their submerged homes. There is a steep rise in the number of diarrhoea cases in Kogi, Niger, Anambra and Delta.
To its credit, the Federal Government has been making frantic efforts to cushion the effects of the flood. In particular, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has visited the most affected states, offering relief and comfort. Speaking at one of the holding camps set up for the displaced persons in Asaba, Delta State, Vice President Osinbajo said: “I am very touched seeing these persons who are affected by flood, I know how disruptive it is for those who are affected.” He disclosed that following the effect of the flood, the Federal Government had designated Delta State as National Disaster Zone with three other states of the country.
It is indeed saddening that in spite of the predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the warnings by the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), the country is once again experiencing the menace of flooding. As we maintained in previous editorials, the tragedy of the Nigerian flood situation is that most of the causes are fabricated. With improper refuse disposal, indiscriminate erection of structures by the populace and improper planning and unbridled corruption on the part of government and its agencies and officials, it is no wonder that the country has continued to experience perennial flooding. Till now, bridges and roads are constructed without proper drainage systems and provision for general maintenance and monitoring to guard against environmental abuse by the citizens, while the technical design of roads, bridges and other facilities is often indicative of professional deficiency, with many of the inadequacies becoming manifest during the rainy season.
Sadly, the funds meant to be used in addressing flooding and other environmental challenges are routinely misappropriated or mismanaged by ministries, agencies and departments, just as money drawn from the Ecological Fund is often considered as free fund to be expended any how those in power deem fit instead of being used to tackle soil erosion, flooding, desertification, general environmental pollution and natural disasters. Ideally, earth dams should have been built in many of the states to absorb the flood, and then utilised as the need arises. There is also the question of giving states the latitude to harness and manage their water resources, including flood waters. This is part of the restructuring that the country needs.
We are appalled by the seeming unwillingness across the states to address the flooding issue frontally as a result of the preoccupation of the state governors with preparations for the 2019 election. It is unconscionable to allow politicking to becloud concern for the need to address the flooding disaster. We call on governments at all levels to take proactive measures to contain the flooding menace. Enough of these annual lamentations.
and then