- Says Vulnerable People at Risk
By Kawaekwune Jeffrey
As devastating floods continue to affect northern Nigeria, a civil society organization (CSO), ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), has called on Niger Delta state governments and other Southern states to take immediate and proactive measures to mitigate what it called a looming flood disaster.
It would be recalled that the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, had recently alerted governors and local government chairmen in the Niger Delta region and other southern states to prepare for what de described as potential flooding due to the rising levels of Rivers Niger and Benue.
Elaborating further on this subject matter, AAN’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, urged state governments to act swiftly to protect lives and livelihoods in flood-prone areas. Mamedu stressed the importance of taking precautionary measures and outlined several steps that should immediately be implemented.
He stated, “We strongly advise the governors and relevant agencies to take immediate and proactive measures to mitigate the impact of the predicted flood. This includes evacuating residents in flood-prone areas to safe zones and providing emergency shelters, conducting public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on flood safety measures, ensuring drainage systems are clear and functional to prevent blockages, and stockpiling emergency relief materials such as food, water, and sanitation kits.”
Mamedu emphasized the need for a coordinated response involving all stakeholders: “Additionally, activating emergency response plans and teams to quickly respond to the disaster, collaborating with local communities, state governments, and other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated response, and prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, is crucial.”
The statement further called on all to engage in long-term investments in flood prevention and climate resilience. “Most importantly, we recommend that the government invest in long-term solutions to address the root causes of flooding, including environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, and climate change. This can be achieved by implementing sustainable land use practices, restoring natural buffers like wetlands and forests, and promoting climate-resilient infrastructure development,” he said.
He added: “Moreover, supporting climate change adaptation and resilience-building initiatives, enhancing early warning systems and flood forecasting, and promoting community-led flood management approaches will help reduce the risk and impact of flooding.”
Mamedu also highlighted the vital role of state and local governments in disaster management: “State and local governments have a crucial role to play in mitigating the impact of flooding in Nigeria. Despite warnings and predictions, many state and local governments have been slow to respond, leaving vulnerable communities to bear the brunt of the disaster.”
The CSO warned that failure to act now could lead to devastating consequences: “By taking these proactive and comprehensive measures, we can minimize the devastating effects of the predicted flood, protect lives and livelihoods, and build a more resilient and sustainable future for all
It added: “Beyond the warning from the Federal Government, they still have that coordinating responsibility to ensure the states comply and deploy their relevant agencies as well to deal with this perennial problem.”
ActionAid Nigeria reiterated that the lives of the most vulnerable—women, children, and those living in flood-prone areas—depend on immediate measures which the government should take urgently.
