Success Nwanedo
The name Rivers State to some people is synonymous with rainfall. Rainfall occurs almost throughout the year in the state, with a bridge of dry season between January, February, and December. The state experiences a peak of the rainy season within July, August and September. Rainfall in these months is usually high, which usher in maximum flooding.
Over the years, Rivers state has experienced a series of flooding that have failed to be addressed. At the beginning of the year, the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMET) and the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) had predicted heavy rainfall likely to affect sixteen Local Government Areas in the state, including the capital city of Port Harcourt.
Although governor Wike had advised local government Chairmen and respective Ministries/Departments/Agencies (MDA) to prepare for crises in flood-prone communities across the state, the question remains; what necessary measures were put in place to combat the floods?
Assembling camps for those likely to be affected and providing palliatives to support the affected seems to be the new way of fighting contingencies rather than taking the bull by the horn.
Past and present administrations in Rivers state have deferred prioritising ways to combat flooding within the environment which has destroyed properties, even lives.
Also, the severity of flooding experienced over the past years may seem to be related to increases in urban development that involved the development of swamps and river channels due to the rise in population and accommodation demands.
The Rivers state ministry of Housing and Urban Development has failed in its duties to monitor housing constructions being erected in the state, as many of these houses sit on drainage channels.
Drainages are available but substandard, blocked with debris and can not evacuate stormwater. Research shows a strong relationship between flood frequency and drainage conditions in and around the state.
Sand filling of flood canals and indiscriminate building approvals are, of course, pedestals to this disaster ravaging the state.
The Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition (RSEYLC) had blamed Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for the massive flood experienced in parts of the state over their inability to conduct proper feasibility studies before embarking on their constructions across the state.
In a statement, the Publicity Secretary of the group, Comrade Tamunobelema Tamunoimama, noted that the Rivers State Commissioner for Environment had been fired for attempting to question the company’s failure to carry out Environmental Impact Assessment before initiating construction.
This portrays the failure of the government in matters of utmost concern, such as those that affect the environment.
Similarly, the negligence on the part of citizens to observe sanitary measures such as dumping refuse into canals and other water channels have contributed immensely to this natural disaster.
Plastic bottles and nylon bags are seen littered around the environment, with people showing little or no concern about it. These items do not decay and of course, have an adverse effect on the environment.
Although part of the flooding has been blamed on climate change, it is worthy to note that a proactive government will set up climate-resilient infrastructures to mitigate the effects of these changes, such as flooding.
The aftereffect of flooding, which includes loss of properties, decay and destruction of infrastructure, erosion and ultimately, loss of lives, can undoubtedly be averted if appropriate measures are implemented.
A synergy must occur between the government and citizens if this issue of flooding must be controlled.
Through its Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the government should act on its duties to conduct proper allocation of building sites and routine inspections on these sites to ensure that these structures do not sit bridge set out plans or block waterways.
Identification, demolition of structures on flood plains and construction of stormwater channels in flood-prone areas should be embarked on to combat the menace of flooding in the state.
Comprehensive drainage and infrastructural planning works should also be initiated urgently by the relevant agencies by way of desilting all drainages and waterways.
On the other hand, the citizenry must understand that keeping the environment safe is a shared responsibility by undertaking sanitary measures such as adequate trash disposal into assigned trash cans. Routine clean up exercises should be initiated and maintained to curtail the inflow of dirt into gutters and waterways.
To combat the menace of flooding in River state, drainages remain paramount for the sustenance of structures, which must remain standing rather than submerged when the rains arrive.
Constant expressions without action is a plague on most Nigerian government officials, who glide on failed promises. The rains may be over, but what would be the fate of the state when it returns?
