‘Niger Delta May Submerge In 30 Years’

A Professor of Geosciences, at the Rivers State university of Science and technology (RSUST), Professor Dagogo Fubara said about 40Km stretch of the Niger Delta could be submerged in the next three decades following the continuous surge in ocean level.
In a keynote address entitled, “River Hydrodynamics and sea level monitoring for flood impact control”, at the second annual conference on flood And Erosion prevention protection.
And mitigation at the University yesterday.
Prof. Fubara urged the government to step up effort to save the region.
He said that, there is need for constant monitoring of fresh water and tidal movements, while coastal gauges from Calabar to Ondo should be installed for hauly collection of data on tidal movement.
He also stressed the need for the application of scientific knowledge to control erosion in the Niger Delta, stressing that flood can be forecasted end its adverse effects mitigated.
Fubara who was Chairman of the opening ceremony of the conference said that scientic methods could be used to monitor, analyse and prevent these physical characteristics that caused natural disasters.
In his lecture entitled, “Integrated Flood Management And Mitigation option for Nigeria” Professor lekun Oyebande of the University of Lagos, stated the need for the formulation and adoption of a strategic plan on flood risk and management.
He said that the proposed plan must draw a considerable attention, from all stakeholders including the community.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of RSUST Professor B.B. Fakae said that the conference has part of the programme of the University to find solution to the problems of the Niger Delta.
“As you know, flooding and erosion have impacted negatively on our communities in recent times consequently, has university in pursuit of its core mandate to encourage in original creative and scholarly research to foster a learning process with problem solving content decided to embark on thus international conference, he said.
“Our University more than ever before is awake to support and sustain the expansion of the frontiers of human knowledge in the various disciplines, responding especially to the contemporary scientific and technical demands and challenges of the society”, he added.

Iragunima Benice