A call has been made to the appropriate authorities in Nigeria, all states of the federation and other critical stakeholders to galvanize efforts and clear blocked gutters, service maintenance holes and other water channels before the return of full rainfall in Nigeria to avoid predicted floodings, which are becoming increasingly severe as a result of man-made climate change.
The Country contact person for Plan B.Earth (“Plan B”), Lubem Gena, who made the appeal in his ‘second quarter projection address’, identified flooding as one of the most devastating climate change impacts, jeopardising particularly the coastal areas, the federal capital territory Abuja, Benue state and other lowland settlements across the nation.
Mr Gena said the federal government must take its responsibility seriously by deploying ecological funds to safeguard the population.
He emphasized that it will no longer be acceptable if predictable flooding returns and most susceptible areas still suffer untold hardships such as displacement, dislocation, loss of sources of livelihoods, property and lives as has happened previously.
The text of his address reads as follows:
“We are worried that the rains are returning but no tangible efforts are put in place to ensure that they do not wreck havoc on Abuja, coastal towns and other low lying cities across the country.
“We are not unaware of the devastating effect of flooding which have become annual nightmares to many Nigerians even as there are preventive measures that could be timely put in place to mitigate the monstrous effects of ravaging water.
“It is on record that basic measures such as clearing of gutters, creation of more water channels in susceptible areas as well as servicing of maintenance holes have the tendency to go a long way in minimizing the effect of surface running water.
“In this regards, we wish to use this occasion to call on the federal government especially the federal ministries of environment, water resources and agriculture in conjunction with other appropriate agencies of government to immediately galvanize efforts and put adequate preventive mechanisms in place in order to ensure that the ugly experiences of the past does not repeat this time around.
“Similarly, bi-lateral talks should be opened with countries in upper rivers Niger and Benue particularly Cameroun to ensure that the Lagdo dam is adequately serviced preparatory to receiving massive rainfall for 2022 from Nyos crater lake. Release of excess water from the dams should be done much more responsibly in order not to constitute a menace to the environment and those around water bodies.
“We are not unaware of the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) report recently presented by the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika to the tune that, ‘the earliest onset of the planting season (beginning of planting activities) is expected around February 28, 2022, in the coastal parts of the country while the onset of rainfall is expected between April and May in the central states and, eventually, between June to July in the northern states. The onset of the planting season is predicted to be normal over most parts of Nigeria with a few areas having it earlier while some will have it delayed’.
“The SCP also stated that rainfall cessation dates across most parts of the country in 2022 are predicted to be near the long-term average conditions. ‘The window between the onset and cessation dates can be regarded as safe periods for the planting of various crops by their cropping calendars. The growing season is predicted to last between 250-300 days in southern parts of the country and 100 to 200 days in the north. Noteworthy are areas around Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Benue, Bayelsa and Rivers which are likely to experience shorter than normal length of the growing season. However, prolonged length of the growing season is anticipated in parts of Plateau, Kaduna, Edo and Imo’.
“For the annual total rainfall, ‘the prediction indicates that the annual rainfall amount is expected to be normal in most parts of the country. The annual rainfall amount is expected to range from 390 mm in the north to over 2790 mm in the south. Annual rainfall amount ranging from 390 mm to 790mm is anticipated in some parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina and Sokoto states. The central states such as Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Benue and the FCT, as well as Ekiti, Osun and Oyo are anticipated to record 1190 mm to 1590 mm of total rainfall’.
“This therefore means that, there is high tendency of occurrence of flash flooding in several cities across the country thereby necessitating Plan B to sound this timely note of caution. Much worrisome is the declaration by a team of Development Control and FCT Task Force led by Mr. Murkhtar Galadima, who was widely reported by the media on Thursday, 22nd April, 2022 that over 400 residential buildings sprung up in a place designated as corner shops. The media reports further have it that the area is not properly planned because residents are just discharging their waste directly to the stream. And this could be a time bomb, source of epidemic and ultimately, flooding.
“Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring Inspection and Enforcement to the Honourable Minister of FCT, Ikharo Attah has lamented that the level of illegality in the city stinks; People decide to build on water ways-constructed on stream making the area prone to flooding. They even pushed the stream to a point that if there is a heavy rain, there will be massive flooding and this is a disaster waiting to happen since the flood plains have been blocked. The FCTA and other responsible agencies must step their surveillance by rededicating themselves to their core mandates in a manner that averting impending flooding would be assured. A stitch in time saves nine”.
