Flooding should stimulate proactive measures

THE latest move by the Federal Government to activate the National Emergency Operation Centre to curb flooding disasters is laudable. For many years, federal and state governments’ responses to flooding have been reactive rather than proactive. This disaster management effort, however, should be anchored on an understanding of climate change.

Zubaida Umar, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, reeled out the implementation of this initiative during the National Emergency Coordination Forum held in Abuja. She said, “The establishment of this centre is a pivotal step in ensuring that our emergency responses are swift and precise.”

In July, the Federal Government predicted that 94 towns were at risk of a five-day flooding from July 16 to July 20. The listed states in which these towns are located included Adamawa, Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, and Cross River.

Sadly, the state governments did not feel the urgency to initiate strategic plans to prevent the predicted flooding disaster. This is not the path of proper disaster management.

Globally, there are ongoing discussions about climate change. Nigeria is one of the top countries with a wide range of livelihoods, agricultural practices, and commodities, which are threatened by climate change.

“Rising sea levels increase vulnerability to flooding and waterborne disease. Additionally, drought and rising temperature hinder agricultural production and fishing, reducing food security and negatively impacting health and nutrition,” a USAID report said.

In a major occurrence, Nigeria suffered devastating flooding in 2012. Described as the worst in five decades, the 2012 flooding occurred between July and October, killing 363 persons, and displacing 2.1 million others, the National Emergency Agency Authority recalled. The combined value was estimated at N2.6 trillion or $16.9, a joint report by the Federal Government with the World Bank, UN, EU, and the UN stated. The worst affected were Adamawa, Benue, Plateau, and Taraba states.

Repeats have occurred after the 2012 disasters. In the 2022 rainy season, floods overtook 34 of the 36 states, killing 600 citizens and displacing 1.4 million others. About 84,035 houses were submerged, and 110,000 hectares of farmland were destroyed. The Federal Government estimated the ensuing losses at N4.2 trillion or $9.12 billion.

These disasters foretell of worse things to come, especially because of climate change. They should instigate the government at the centre, sub-national, and local levels to implement sustainable measures to ward them off.

According to the UN, Nigeria has the highest rate of deforestation in the world, losing 3.7 per cent of its forest every year. This is alarming.  It deserves strong policies. This is more obvious in the North.

Desertification is threatening communities and agriculture. The Fulani nomads use desertification as an excuse to roam their cattle across the country. This causes conflict with settled farmers and threatens food security.

On a positive note, Borno State has launched the planting of 10 million trees to stem desertification and environmental degradation. Other states should follow suit.

Rising sea levels threaten southern cities such as Lagos State and coastal areas, increasing their vulnerability to flooding. The central and state governments need to be proactive in tackling flooding and providing safety for citizens during disasters. They should clear the buildings erected on flood plains.

States should build flood disaster management centres to ensure prompt and accurate emergency responses, which are crucial in minimising the impact of flooding on affected communities.

The Federal Government should fully implement the Nigeria Climate Change Act which will mainstream climate change actions and achieve low greenhouse gases objectives.