The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) on Wednesday warned Nigerians to be prepared for more floods due to high rainfall intensity of long duration in the country. Many states are activating their plans to mitigate the damages.
Lafia residents seek immediate assistance
Some residents of Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, have appealed for federal and state government’s immediate assistance in ensuring effective flood control at Umar-Katako bridge on the Lafia-Akwanga highway.
They spoke with reporters in Lafia yesterday.
Since Monday, Lafia had witnessed downpour which submerged a bridge in Shabu community.
The flood had resulted in gridlock, disrupting vehicular movement from Lafia to Akwanga Local Government Area and other parts of the state.
Many motorists, who were affected by the flooding around the bridge, were forced to wait for hours to have clear visibility of the bridge before passing through it.
Superintendent of Police (SP) and Officer in Charge of Medicals at the Nasarawa State Police Command, Dr Ndukwe Chidozie, said the recent flooding was enough signal for the federal and state governments to take immediate precaution to avert impending havoc.
“There are so many motorists plying that route to different destinations. So you can imagine a motorist who has little knowledge of flood route, especially at night, the outcome can be catastrophic,” he said.
Chidozie appealed for a bigger bridge to be constructed to accommodate more water and allow motorists pass over it even during heavy rainfall.
“Everybody should be mindful anytime it rains. So I appeal to the masses, especially motorists plying that route to be patient while government finds solution to the issue.
“It is not easy but I am confident that a solution will be found to avoid disaster,” he said.
Mallam Usman Bala, a motorist also appealed for immediate assistance so that Nigerians travelling for the Sallah holidays to other parts of the country through Lafia did not have to encounter flood on the way.
“The bridge is small and heavy water passes through it to a major river. So whenever there is heavy rainfall, the small bridge is easily submerged.
“I just hope a palliative measure will be put in place so that our Muslim brothers and sisters travelling for the Sallah holiday will reach their destinations safely,” he said.
Mr Yusuf Otos, another resident called on the government to direct relevant agencies to place safety officials at every flooding flash point across the state to ensure that residents were guided to safety during downpour.
“Officials of the emergency agencies both at the federal and state levels and road safety officials should be close to flood flash points, so that they can guide motorists on appropriate steps to take to avoid any unfortunate incident.
“These officials are professionals and know what best to do. So in a situation whereby government is taking its time in finding lasting solution to the problem, our officials should be the temporary palliative to save lives,’’ he said.
Due to the flooding on the bridge and other parts of the state, Nasarawa State House of Assembly passed a resolution on Tuesday asking the state government to direct its relevant agencies to sensitise the public on the impending dangers of flooding.
The Assembly has cautioned residents against building on water ways and river banks to prevent flood in the state.
Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Speaker of the House, made the appeal while adopting a resolution under matters of public interest at plenary on Tuesday in Lafia.
The resolution followed a motion raised by Mr Daniel Ogazi (APC-Kokona East).
Abdullahi said that flooding had claimed many lives and property, hence the need for people of the state to take precautionary measures against the menace.
“I want to appreciate Mr Daniel Oga Ogazi for coming up with the matter of flooding in Shabu and other places across the state.
“I also want to commend other members for contributing positively on the issue.
“It is in view of this that the House passed the resolution urging the state government to take proactive measures by directing the relevant agencies to sensitise the people on the dangers of dumping of refuse along water channels.
“To avoid building on water ways and river banks in their interest and for the overall development of the state and the country at large.
“When these measures are taken, it will go a long way in addressing the issue of flooding as well as save lives,” he said.
The speaker therefore directed the Clerk of the House, Mr Ego Maikeffi, to communicate the resolution to the governor for further necessary action.
Delta govt assures on proactive measures to curb flooding
The Delta government has advised residents of flood- prone areas in the state to relocate temporarily to upper lands for safety of lives and property as government tackles flood.
Commissioner for Environment Chris Onogba made the remark on Tuesday in Igbodo, Ika North East LGA of the state, while on an inspection tour of the community.
Onogba led the Permanent Secretary, Mr Precious Anuku, and other officials of the Ministry to Igbodo to asses some flooded areas in the community,
He reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling flooding in the state by adopting proactive measures.
He maintained that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration would not relent in ensuring that incidences of flooding in the state were tackled abruptly.
Onogba said reported incidences of flooding had been a major problem to various communities in the state and the nation in general.
He said flooding usually occurred whenever the rivers overflew their banks.
The commissioner, therefore, called on residents of riverine areas not to build on natural waterways so as to ensure free flow of water in the drainage systems.
The commissioner, during the inspection tour, visited the royal father of the community, Ikechukwu Osedume, the Obi of Igbodo.
The Obi informed the commissioner of the pain his people had endured over losses occasioned by flooding.
He posited that the pains of his people had become the pains of the government, whose responsibility it was to protect lives and property of the citizens.
The royal father disclosed that he had in his own measure, sought the intervention of rainmakers to help hold down downpour over the past one week.
He appealed to the state government to help restore calmness and peace in the affected areas.
FCTA distributes N150m agro-inputs to Abuja farmers
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Tuesday commenced distribution of agro-inputs worth N150 million to farmers affected by the 2018 flooding and erosion in the FCT.
The FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr Chinyeaka Ohaa, at a ceremony to commence the distribution exercise, at Kuje Area Council, warned farmers against engaging in agricultural activities without recourse to proper environmental assessment.
Ohaa said that the arbitrary erection of structures by farmers has, in most cases, impeded free flow of water resulting in overflow of natural water channels and river banks.
He stressed the need for farmers to observe some basic practices that could help minimise the effect of flooding especially on river banks.
The permanent secretary also enjoined farmers to avoid any form of construction that would impede the flow of water.
“These include planting of cover crops such as legumes or vertiva grasses and allowing crops residues to remain on the soil instead of removing them after harvest.
“This year, we have provided funding worth N150 million for the procurement of a variety of Agricultural inputs to help the farmers across the six Area Councils in rebuilding their lost investment.
“Rice, cowpea, cashew, teak and oil palm seedlings have been procured, while we will also be distributing poultry inputs such as chicks and feeds to the farmers.
Ohaa expressed optimism that the intervention would go a long way in alleviating the plights of farmers, improve their skills and enable them prepare against flooding.
He assured the commitment of the FCTA to implement innovative strategies to support the growth of agricultural sector in line with the policy thrust of the federal government to revitalise agriculture in the country.
He commended the extension workers of the FCT for their efforts in extending training to rural farmers on the adoption of good agricultural practices particularly as it relates to flood and erosion control in farmlands.
“Their efforts have paid off as the incidences in this regard have reduced,’’ He said.
Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Mr James Samaila, commended FCTA for the intervention which, he said, would go a long way to facilitate quick return to farms and boost farm production in the FCT.
Samaila assured that FCT farmers would do everything possible to avoid engaging in any activity that would trigger flooding in the territory.
Imo flood victims rise to 6,000, says lawmaker
A member of the House of Representatives representing Oguta Ohaji/Egbema Oru West Federal Constituency, Kingsley Uju, said the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the recent flooding in the area had risen to 6,000.
Uju spoke when he visited the affected communities, where he told officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) that some of the displaced people were still trapped in the bush.
About 60 houses in 15 communities in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Government Area were flooded on Thursday, after a heavy downpour.
It will be recalled that the Head of Imo/Abia Operations Office of NEMA had during an on-the-spot assessment on Friday put the number of IDPs at 2,000.
The lawmaker further said that property worth over N100 million were destroyed by the flood.
He said: “We are calling on NEMA and other donor agencies to come to the aid of my people because what we have here is near crisis situation.
“Economic and social wealth have been lost, my people have taken refuge in nearby communities, they need urgent intervention now.”
Uju attributed the disaster to unusual rise in the sea level, adding that the affected communities were flood prone.
He said that the communities had decided to embark on premature harvest of their farm crops, fearing that the development could lead to food shortage later in the year.
Mr Evans Ugoh, Head, Imo/Abia Operations Office of NEMA, assured the victims of the agency’s imminent intervention.
“I have seen the level of damage caused by the flood. I assure all of you that NEMA will assist you.
“I will finish my assessment soon and forward the report to the head office and be hopeful that your plight will get to the appropriate authorities,” Ugoh said.
NANS mourns ATBU students
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commiserated with immediate families of the students of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, who lost their lives in a flood that collapsed a bridge at the university on Monday.
The President of NANS, Mr Danielson Akpan, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, commiserated with management of the university.
Akpan called on ATBU management and other school managements to take seriously, the safety of students on and off Nigerian campuses to avoid such tragedies and unnecessary loss of lives.
He said the association had sent a delegation to the school immediately the incident occurred to commiserate with the university community.
He added that the delegation would equally see how lasting solutions could be proffered and prevent future untimely death of students.