A Port Harcourt-based businessman and much-room development expert, Chief Moore Chinda has said that the expected 2013 flooding should be a major concern of the authorities especially in terms of readiness to tackle such eventualities.

Chief Chinda who spoke to our correspondent in Port Harcourt last week  said flood was an unavoidable natural disaster like any other  throughout the world which consequences are rather disastrous.

Chief Chinda who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Diplomat farms said the question is whether the nations is getting ready to face the challenges.

According to him, it was like the biblical ten virgins where five at last proved to be wise while the rest where seen as foolish.

Explaining further, he said it was important to move the people living in flood prone areas out from their present abode to higher grounds.

He said the responsibility of averting some of the negative consequences rests entirely on the governments at the various levels.

While describing such occurrences as being above human comprehension, he expressed the hope that all concerned would be ready in meeting the consequences of the flood.

He praised the expertise of the meteorological agencies and other such organisations for letting the cat out of the bag in good time.

He called for adequate enlightenment of the people on the nature of infrastructure to be put in place and the means available for evacuating them even as he said what the people would eat during the period be given priority attention including clothing and medical services.

According to him, the extent of the disaster itself should be taken into consideration in terms of the extent of damage done at a given geographical area.

“The level of relief materials will depend on the extent of damage done.

“It is a good thing that we are aware, afterall when you are starting a war you warn people in advance,” he said.