The climatic change which nations of the world are already grappling with, is already taking its toll on Nigeria. No thanks to the devastating effects of floods that wrecked havocs in many states of the federation. In short, experts say that thirty-one states in the country stand the risks of being washed away by floods if nothing is done by both the Federal and State governments to mitigate the challenge. The government sadly too, stated that, over 500 Nigerians have lost their lives while more than 1.4 million people have been rendered homeless by this sudden and terrible development almost everywhere.Already, states like Nasarawa, Kogi, Abia, Niger, Benue and Anambra especially, are counting their losses both in human and material forms. Experts predict that more precarious situations lie ahead for those living within the tributaries of Rivers Niger and Benue. For example, roads in Kogi are completely broken down and flooded. The whole area is cut off, so also in Anambra where scores of people died amd many rendered homeless.
The entire nation to say the least is under siege at the moment. Beside the human and material catastrophe been experienced, the worsening flood situation has also destroyed thousands of hectares of farm land, heightened tensions of food insecurity, as rice farmers and their counterparts have completely lost their farms to flood. The governors of the affected states have reached out to the Federal Government for help but the question is; what did the governors do after the early warning by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET)? The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in August this year warned that 32 states and 233 Local Government Areas would experience flooding, but these warnings were not taken seriously. This situation is made worse by poor preparedness of the citizens and relevant authorities, despite serious warnings. Situations like these call for national emergency, at least to forestall future occurrence and mitigate colossal damage, especially now that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA) has predicted more floods this year than the previous. Floods have negative effect generally whenever it occurs, but serious minded societies prepare ahead of time when warnings are sounded. Waiting to act when the situation is dire certainly is not the way to go. Conversely, not complying with early warning to move to safer place is not also for anybody’s gain in view of the number of people reported dead as a result of flooding.
The story of flooding in Nigeria and its devastating effect has become a perennial problem. The ecological funds which are provided for situations like the one the country is currently facing should not just be another jamboree for those in authority. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the other disaster management agencies should wake up to their responsibilities. These agencies must be equipped with modern facilities to aid them in discharging their responsibilities. We therefore call on the government, both state and federal to take the issue of flooding in our society very seriously. Those who have lost their homes and farmlands on account of flooding should be resettled. Efforts should be made to nip further disastrous flood incidents in the bud. The government must assess the impact of the flooding and proffer solutions without further delay.
