Rivers State is at risk of catastrophic flooding if urgent measures are not taken to address the growing impacts of climate change, climate justice advocate and Coordinator of Quest For Growth and Development, Smith Nwokocha, has warned.
Nwokocha gave the warning during a live broadcast on Exceed FM, where he expressed concern over the increasing effects of climate change in Niger Delta communities, particularly severe flooding, erosion, and the loss of coastal landmass.
He said the state’s vulnerability to flooding was being compounded by poor drainage, waste management and environmental degradation, saying that there were immediate actions needed from both government and residents.
“The impacts of climate change are already upon us here in Rivers State,” You can see it in severe flooding, relentless erosion, and coastal lands gradually disappearing underwater,” he said.
Nwokocha said recent climate-related disasters such as the deadly glacier-collapse flood in Nepal should be a warning to vulnerable regions noting that although Nigeria does not have glaciers, Rivers State faces big risks from extreme flooding.
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He urged the Rivers State Government to boost and regularly clear drainage channels in all urban centres for free flow of water and reduce the risk of flooding during times of heavy rainfall.
The environmental advocate also called for revamping of waste management in Port Harcourt, warning that indiscriminate dumping of refuse would clog waterways and cause floods.
He further advocated sustained public education campaigns to encourage the people to take up proper waste disposal measures and support environmental protection initiatives.
Besides the government, Nwokocha urged residents to take part in efforts to combat climate change by planting trees and embracing other environmentally friendly initiatives.
He also charged the National Council on Climate Change to scale up its efforts in addressing pollution from industrial activities including gas flaring and methane emissions, which are contributory factors to climate change.
Nwokocha urged the Rivers State House of Assembly and the executive to constitute a Rivers State Climate Change Commission to provide an appropriate response to the climate change challenge, disaster preparedness and adaptation in the state.
He further noted the need for proactive measures to ensure that the state is not caught off guard in case of a disaster.
