Desmond Iwuchukwu
Following the prediction by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), that most parts of Rivers State will witness heavy flooding during the rainy season this year, some environmentalists in the State are expressing concerns that relevant authorities are yet to stand up to the challenge.
While speaking on a radio programme, an Environmentalist, Dr. Otiasa Christian, said that the 2023 flooding would be heavier than the 2022 flooding in the State.
Dr. Christian also regretted that the relevant authorities and government at all levels are reluctant to make preparations to cushion the effects of the impending flooding.
He suggested that government should appoint professionals to relevant agencies to prevent people from throwing waste into the drainages.
Another Environmental Manager, Meshack Uyi, also expressed worries that the state government has not initiated a mitigation strategy days after NEMA released the prediction.
Uyi further said it was more worrisome that the 2023 annual budget did not capture the issue of flooding in the State.
The environmentalist, who is also a member of the Rivers State Committee on Water, proposed that government should set up a think tank committee that would be proactive in coming up with strategies for tackling the challenge
Meanwhile, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for adequate preparation to minimize the collateral damage of flooding in the coastal communities in the Niger Delta States.
The Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Ken Robinson, said this while speaking to our correspondent following the prediction by NEMA of the impending flooding in some states in the niger delta region.
Robinson advised governments in niger delta states to take the warnings by NEMA seriously.
He also called on relevant government agencies to synergize with community leaders to ensure a proper emergency response to the impending flood.
The publicity secretary further asked residents in coastal communities to be ready to evacuate whenever they witness rising water levels.
