Considering the ravage that floods have been wreaking across Nigeria, especially during the rainy
season, it is mandatory on the federal and state governments to adopt opportune and exacting measures to assuage the impact of the nuisance, as it is practically impossible to completely hold back nature’s rage. Furthermore, this measure is propitious since the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has made some climate predictions this year.
Giving a report, NiMeT said the 2022 rainfall was projected to commence in the coastal states of Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom in late February and around July in the Northern states including Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara States. However, Ekiti, Ondo, Edo and Kaduna States might encounter earlier than normal onset when compared to the long-term averages while Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, parts of Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Bayelsa and Rivers might experience delayed onset of rainfall.
The report also provides an overview of assorted climatic variables, such as rainfall and temperature models in Nigeria for the year. These forecasts offer the government, stakeholders and the general society early warning information for timely preparedness against potential hazards associated with heavy rains, floods, and high temperatures, as well as dry spells in parts of the country.
Properly transmitting warnings of impending storms and floods will not only provide an opportunity for people to take proactive measures to prevent damage to their property, it will also save lives. In Europe, initiatives like flood early warning systems and dyke monitoring are made to overhaul how natural disasters, such as flooding, can be properly evaluated and when warnings should be communicated.
Although flooding has become part of life in Nigeria because of its unparalleled geographical features, which boast many rivers that criss-cross the hinterland, with the Atlantic Ocean bordering the southern part, the changing pattern of rains has further compounded the situation. In a country where natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are remarkably rare, flooding is rapidly becoming the main cause of concern.
This early warning from the agency should be given sufficient attention by all levels of government and should not be lightly addressed. The months of July, August, September and October are usually associated with heavy rainfall and catastrophic flooding in most areas of the country. Floods are often exacerbated by the transboundary influx of the Niger and Benue Rivers from outside the country before they drain into the Atlantic Ocean in Nigeria.
Flood is one of the most frequent natural disasters in our country with a devastating aftermath on the poor and vulnerable populations who live along river banks and rely on flood plains for livelihoods. Whenever a flood occurs, it affects a variety of sectors, including agriculture, water resources, health, transportation, infrastructure, and the livelihoods of people living in affected communities.
Tragically, since the devastating flood of 2012 which swept away many communities across the country, and the early warnings by pertinent government agencies on the impending flood and how to mitigate it, Nigerians have been flouting the directives from pertinent agencies and maintaining unhealthy lifestyles that result in flooding and the attendant consequences.
That is why government, environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including individuals and public enterprises, must do their utmost to avoid flooding this year. Rivers State, particularly, known for its perennial floods, must be prepared. Drains should be cleaned, while people living in flood-prone areas should be relocated. Now that the floods have yet come, there should be a massive awareness campaign in the state.
Those that need to be evacuated in Port Harcourt should be encouraged to voluntarily do so. Aside from de-silting the drains to ensure free flow of water, excavated refuse should be properly disposed of to avoid blocking the roads and returning into the canals. Construction along water courses should be advised against. Violators must be apprehended and prosecuted diligently while the structures must be demolished immediately.
The inappropriate disposal of waste by Port Harcourt residents and the failure of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) to do its job is a major concern. While some residents can afford to pay private waste disposal operators for their services, others who cannot afford it are dumping waste into drains and open spaces. Traders, who dispose of garbage haphazardly, should be punished. Non-payment of sanitation rates by residents is affecting the work of RIWAMA. The agency can only operate properly when there are funds to carry out its duties.
The state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise across the 23 local government areas which usually holds on the last Saturdays of every month with strict restrictions on human and vehicular movements during the exercise should be reintroduced. This will enable Rivers people to support Governor Nyesom Wike’s vision of a clean and safe environment. RIWAMA has a responsibility to ensure that Rivers State remains clean and healthy for its citizens.
As a long-term solution to permanent flooding during the rainy season, the state government should establish a master drainage plan for Port Harcourt. This will receive, handle, and transport surface or groundwater runoff within the city. As well, it will ensure the proper operation of the state capital’s drainage system. Also, a stakeholders’ meeting with the communities experiencing the disaster has to be convened.
Suitable measures should be defined to put an end to flooding. Apart from clearing of drains, especially in coastal and flood-prone areas, the Rivers State Government should initiate an effective town planning and strict enforcement of environmental regulations and by-laws. Preventive measures are more a matter for the government and local authorities. Therefore, there cannot be any excuse for preventable flooding this year:
With the increasing burden of climate change on humanity, it is required for everyone to take action to improve the impact of floods. Experts say there are several ways of preventing flooding. To achieve this, Nigeria should improve on its warning system, promote flood resilient buildings, construct buildings above flood levels and increase spending on the construction of flood defences. Other measures such as strategically planting trees, restoring natural waterways and introducing water storage areas are imperative.