News
Flood: Concerns Mount Over Effect On Structures
The last is yet to be heard on the flooding in cities as concerns are mounting over its effects on submerged homes.
Built-environment professionals monitoring the development have reinforced the need for the Federal and state governments to embark on a post-disaster survey of buildings in affected states.
They’re also recommending structural integrity or non-destructive tests of the buildings, especially the ones above one-floor to determine their continuous fitness for habitation and mitigate building collapse incidents across the country.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) data revealed that as of October 24, 181,600 houses have been partially damaged and 123,807 houses totally damaged and 392,399 hectares of farmlands have been totally damaged.
Also, 3,219, 780 persons have been affected by the 2022 flooding, 1,427,370 persons internally displaced, 2,776 persons injured, while 612 people were killed.
Prior to the ongoing flooding crisis, cities across the country had recorded repeated structural failure with over 461 buildings collapsing between 1974 to July 2021, and more than 1,090 deaths, including billions of naira worth of properties lost to such disasters.
Out of the figures, Lagos as the busiest construction site accounted for the largest chunk. For instance, over 34 cases were recorded between January and September 2022 in the state according to statistics from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
Speaking on the development, a past president of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr. Kenneth Nduka told The Guardian that the greatest enemy of any building is water.
He said during flooding, water penetrates the structure passing through the capillary elements of the structure whether wood/metal or concrete.
On the severity of damage to buildings, he explained: “If water passes through the wood, it will eventually rot because water dries out slower in building materials. The material composition of the wood structure will decompose and you can have rot, algae growth and strength of the wood structure is compromised.
“If water enters concrete, it absorbs it and compromises the bounding power. The same thing if water goes into the block work, it becomes wet and loses strength. Then, the chemical composition of the block or concrete will be affected. If it is reinforced concrete, water will be retained in it and encourage rust.
“Afterwards, the building can experience concrete cancer as the rot would manifest, start leaking and showing on the reinforcement. Once that occurs, the integrity of the structure is compromised.”
Nduka observed that efforts are always made to ensure that the foundation of buildings is anchored on firm ground but, he said when the water content of soil is overwhelming, the soil will move and stability of the foundation will be compromised, thereby affecting the structural integrity of the building.
He said: “Everything installed in a building, including tiles and paints will be affected because of water. When the flood goes down, there is what is called efflorescent; water coming out of the block concrete will create moles, which have been proven to be carcinogenic, with health implications that reduce the life span of the building.”
On the environmental impact of the flooding, he noted that most reptiles and animals look for where to hide for safety and there may be openings created by the movement of water, reptiles may move into the ceiling of buildings and multiply. He calls for fumigation of affected buildings to ensure that the environmental health of the structure said occupants is assured.
The former NIOB’s boss said to avert collapse, buildings that are above one-floor need structural integrity tests to ascertain fitness before accommodation.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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