The Federal Government has assured the public that the Alau Dam in Borno did not collapse during recent flooding, attributing the overflow to climate change and unusually heavy rainfall.
Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, extended the government’s condolences to the people of Borno State during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, following the devastating floods.
The minister noted that earlier this year, a flood risk warning identified 31 states, including Borno, as high-risk areas.
He said a team of technical experts from the ministry, various agencies, and the Chad Basin Development Authority were currently assessing the damage and working on solutions.
Utsev warned residents about the risks of contaminated water and the potential for waterborne diseases.
He also warned the increasing threat of river flooding along the Niger and Benue rivers, urging all regions to stay vigilant and take proactive measures.
He mentioned the President’s approval of N108 billion for flood prevention across the 36 states, based on recommendations from the Presidential Committee on Flood Disaster Prevention.
Utsev urged state governments and stakeholders to follow early warning systems and implement preventive actions to reduce future flooding.
The minister pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting affected communities, saying technical teams were assessing dams nationwide and planning upgrades.
“Government officials confirmed that climate change has intensified rainfall, leading to excess water that many dams are struggling to manage.
“When this administration began, we immediately initiated studies and designs for the rehabilitation of existing dams, including Alau.
“The dam didn’t collapse, but it struggled to handle the excess water from nearby tributaries, causing overflow into surrounding areas”.
He added that long-term solutions were underway, with budgetary allocations for 2024 and 2025 specifically targeting dam rehabilitation.
“As temperatures rise, we expect increased rainfall, leading to higher water volumes in our rivers and channels.
“Proactive measures are crucial to preventing future escalations,”Utsev said.
Alhaji Bello Goronyo, the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, urged the media to exercise caution when reporting on sensitive issues.
He stressed that misinformation and disinformation posed a threat to the nation, and urged greater collaboration to enhance the well-being of citizens
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many residents of Maiduguri, Borno State, have been displaced by flooding caused by the overflow of the Alau Dam.
The flood had submerged residential areas, roads, and bridges, making parts of the city inaccessible.
Maiduguri is experiencing its worst flooding in 30 years, with homes underwater, schools closed, and businesses paralysed, as residents evacuate with their belongings.
The North has come under the siege of flood. Virtually every state in the region has experienced flooding. While those of us in the South are praying for rain, it is this same element of nature that is wreaking havoc in the North. As I watched the surging flood that submerged Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on television on Tuesday, my heart went out to the victims of the disaster. Yes, it is a disaster.
Rain is supposed to be a blessing because when it falls it brings soothing relief to man and the environment. We cannot say that of what happened in Maiduguri; Jigawa and other northern states. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) warns every year of flooding accompanying heavy rain, and the likelihood of the bursting of dams that should collect the rain water, but many states are still caught flatfooted when the disaster happens. What is the cause? Lack of planning for the predicted disaster? Or the refusal of the authorities to institute long-term measures to avert the disaster?
NIMET cannot be warning against the same thing year in, year out, only for the nation to be caught in the throes of disastrous flooding every rainy season. I watched with mouth agape as Vice President Kassim Shettima waded through flood, with his aides, to get to the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Garba, to commiserate with him over the disaster. The government must act fast before flood wipes away some parts of the country.
On Tuesday, September 10th, 2024, Nigeria woke up to news of very devastating floods in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. WhatsApp platforms and other social media handles became awash with pictures and videos of a city that was flooded as far as the eyes could see. A video of the Alau Dam in Maiduguri went viral with the waters clearly having overwhelmed the spillways and spurting out with a huge force. One of the most frightening stories from the flooding was that about the escape of animals from the city’s zoo. I saw a picture of a disoriented ostrich right in the middle of a flooded street. An announcement by the authorities of the Maiduguri zoo also emerged online, stating that several zoo animals including dangerous crocodiles had escaped into the flooded waters. Not long after, there was a picture of a dead crocodile, probably despatched by people who might have also suffered terribly from the devastating force of nature!
When the stories broke, I reached out to several friends and acquaintances in Yerwa to know how they were faring, and I similarly sent a message of commiserations to Vice President, Kashim Shettima. Not long after, I saw that he was actually on the way to Maiduguri to assess the extent of the destruction wrought by the floods, to commiserate with the government and people of Borno, as well as to assure the people that government was going to be very proactive in assisting the very swift rehabilitation of people affected by the floods.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, further explained to the nation that “the flood, which began over the weekend and worsened in the following days, was the direct result of excess water from the Alau Dam. The collapse of the spillways unleashed a significant surge of water downstream, causing widespread flooding in the surrounding communities”.
It was quite reassuring to read that President Tinubu had not only commiserated with the people, he had in fact ordered that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) should provide immediate relief and the officials of the body had arrived on scene with different types of relief materials.
Much later on Tuesday afternoon, there also emerged pictures and videos of the arrival of VP Kashim Shettima in Borno, with his walkabout in knee-deep waters in several parts of Maiduguri, as well as the short but to-the-point address to people affected by the flooding.
Kashim Shettima assured that the Federal and Borno State Governments, NEMA, it’s state counterpart, SEMA, and the Northeast Development Commission, would all work together over the next few weeks, to ensure that affected people and communities can return to rehabilitated residences and their businesses. There would not emerge any form of IDP camps as a result of the flooding in Borno, Shettima assured. It was not politics. This was a humanitarian responsibility to the people by several organs of government working together in the face of a monumental tragedy!
In the days leading to the unfortunate disaster, the Borno State Government had in fact put in place a high power machinery to deal with what had been envisaged could be the consequences of the very high levels of rainfall being experienced in the state. A response team had been set up by the Zulum administration, headed by the SSG of Borno State. Last Saturday, the Borno State Ministry of Information and Internal Security, had infact issued a major statement on the preparations made by the state government. The SSG and his team visited the Alau Dam, as part of the efforts to avert disaster.
But when the force of nature struck on Tuesday morning, it became clear that there was not a lot that could have been done to avert the huge wave of water that took over Maiduguri, even with the proactive preparations made by the Borno State Government.
When nature strikes as it often does, especially with the changes in the patterns of the world’s weather, it’s force can be very destructive indeed. Humanity is actually harvesting very serious ecological crises as a result of the manner that nature is being husbanded around the world!
It is very instructive, that the Kashim Shettima also underscored these ecological realities in his message. He noted that in the “2024 Flood Outlook, we had implemented comprehensive contingency plans and adopted proactive measures to mitigate potential impacts. Despite these preparations, the severity of this flood has far exceeded our estimates, marking the most catastrophic flood in Maiduguri in over three decades. The flood’s unprecedented scale has presented challenges beyond our previous experiences. Nonetheless, the Federal Government remains determined in its commitment”.
It was that commitment that began to unfold with the collaborative process that the Federal and Borno State Governments and the various agencies began to deploy on Tuesday. These included the evacuation and resettlement of residents in affected areas, efforts at ensuring provision of food, shelter, and medical assistance, until the situation stabilises.
It will take quite a number of days to ascertain the actual extent of the destruction wrought by the flooding, but it is very clear that many, many people have lost their homes amd livelihood. There must, therefore, be a concerted effort on the part of governments, federal and state, and the various agencies, to actually enumerate the extent of devastation and the cost implications of assisting the communities and individuals to pick the pieces of their lives, reconstruct their homes, as well as recommence their livelihoods. These would test the commitment, resolve, and resources, of all these bodies.
The first steps have been taken. There was a very swift reaction by all concerned. The visibility of the Vice President in the midst of the devastation, and his sympathetic address to the people also came out very positively. There must not be any laxity on the part of all the agencies that would work over the next couple of weeks and months, to assist the process of rehabilitation of people and their livelihoods.
It is quite unfortunate that these floods have hit Maiduguri and Borno at a point when it’s government and people are deepening the processes of post-insurgency development, reconstruction, and rehabilitation. These floods are a dampener that would take a lot of human and material resources away from the development agenda. But a humanitarian process can in fact become woven very intricately into the fabric of development.
Kashim Shettima similarly highlighted the fact that, we must, as a nation, begin to deepen our thinking about the regularity of these occurrences. As he noted: “This disaster serves as a sobering reminder of the increasing threats posed by climate change, not just globally, but particularly to regions like ours. Nigeria’s vulnerability to flood disasters has been highlighted time and again, as witnessed during the devastating floods of 2012, 2018, and 2022”.
Similarly, the vice president added that in “light of data gathered by our emergency response agencies and early warning centres, the government has intensified its interventions in flood-prone areas. These areas, characterised by erratic rainfall patterns and complex river basin dynamics, have been prioritised in our flood mitigation strategies to safeguard communities, protect agricultural zones, and reinforce critical infrastructure”.
Of course, the experts have highlighted the fact these regular floods are attributable to several factors. And we are also aware that these floods are actually nationwide, but the shocking, widespread and destructive impact of the flood in Borno has only underscored the seriousness of the danger that we face, and the long-lasting possibilities of damages that we could harvest, if we do not deal with the causes of these natural phenomena, often triggered by human agency.
Nigeria needs a very comprehensive, multi-agency, and nationwide, collaborative process, driven by the most up to date and cutting edge scientific understanding, along with a national ethos of disciplined relationship with nature, to be able to deal with these recurrent and devastating floods.
On a final note, Kashim Shettima assured that: “In light of data gathered by our emergency response agencies and early warning centres, the government has intensified its interventions in flood-prone areas. These areas, characterised by erratic rainfall patterns and complex river basin dynamics, have been prioritised in our flood mitigation strategies to safeguard communities, protect agricultural zones, and reinforce critical infrastructure”.
Furthermore, the Nigerian State envisages the implementation of comprehensive flood mitigation measures, in line with the country’s Flood Outlook reports, that are informed by historical data, climate forecasts, and hydrological modelling, in order to be able to provide a clear path forward enabling the management of varying degrees of flood risks across different regions and timelines.
The devastating floods this week in Borno, show very clearly that we must work post-haste to put in place all the actions that can mitigate these occurrences so that already underprivileged communities would not slip into further misery associated with natural disasters. Commiserations with the valiant people of Borno State as they begin the long journey to recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation, as a result of the devastating floods.
*Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, PhD., FNGE, is a Broadcaster, Journalist, and a Political Scientist* .
Others badly hit include the GRA, Maiduguri Zoo, College of Nursing, College of Agriculture and School of Health Technology, among others.
Many residents were seen evacuating basic items to areas considered relatively safer, with some youths erecting sandbags to prevent water from entering their quarters.
Director General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Barkindo Mohammed, described the situation as “terrible.”
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN): “We went for a rescue and distributed sandbags in Gozari.
“As I am talking to you I am trapped; we came to rescue some people and we are now trapped with my staff.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately assist victims.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President expressed deep concern over the disaster.
He extended his sympathies to the government and people of Borno State, particularly families who have lost their livelihoods.
He called for the immediate evacuation of people from affected areas and assured Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of federal support to address the humanitarian needs of the affected population.
As relevant authorities assess the damage, President Tinubu pledged to mobilise federal resources to support the state during this challenging time.
“The President orders the National Emergency Management Agency to assist the flood victims.
“He remains committed to mobilising federal resources to support the state during this difficult time,” the statement said.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited Maiduguri after attending the 17th Annual Banking and Finance Conference (CIBN), acknowledged the severity of the situation.
He said it had “far exceeded our estimates, marking the most catastrophic flood in Maiduguri in over three decades.”
Shettima stressed the need for unity in the face of adversity, saying: “Now, more than ever, we are compelled as a nation to come together to overcome the losses suffered.”
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to evacuate and resettle residents, provide food, shelter, and medical assistance, and collaborate with the Borno government to address the crisis.
He highlighted a comprehensive roadmap to address the challenges, including intensified interventions in flood-prone areas and prioritised flood mitigation strategies.
“I am deeply devastated by the flood that has engulfed Maiduguri and its environs.
“My heart goes out to the families who have tragically lost their homes and livelihoods in this calamity.
“Our grief is shared, but so is our resolve to offer support and comfort as you begin to recover from this disaster,” Shettima said.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari described the severe floods as a national calamity.
A statement by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari said: “My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this natural disaster.”
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, called for concerted efforts to provide succour to those affected.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the people and government of Borno State at this trying moment,” he said.
Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), in a statement by its chairman, Kwara State Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq, expressed “firm solidarity with the governments and people of Borno and Yobe states as flooding ravages parts of and displaces thousands of residents of Maiduguri city and Jere (both in Borno) and some local government areas of Yobe”.
“The NGF stands with the governments and residents of the affected areas on this natural disaster, commending the swift efforts of the Federal Government and the states’ authorities to bring immediate succour to the victims.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said the “catastrophic” flooding in Maiduguri “has reached the level of a dire national emergency”.
“I am also informed by available statistics from NEMA that recent floods have damaged approximately 16,488 hectares of farmland across 27 states; destroyed 32,000 houses, and impacted no less than 227,000 people.
“I earnestly implore the pertinent federal relief agencies to expedite their efforts in mitigating the effects of this calamity.
“My heart goes out to the people and government of Borno State government as they grapple with the profound economic repercussions of this disaster,” Atiku.
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, urged residents to protect themselves.
“Due to the unusually high volume of water this year, we urge all the residents living along the river bank to take immediate action to protect themselves and their properties.
“The Alau Dam water has broken down another channel that is currently destroying farms, and the water is heading toward the river bank,” he said in a statement.
Ndume added: “I’m also calling on various international partners, development agencies, and men of goodwill to do something urgent before we witness the kind of human disaster in Maiduguri that will be unimaginable.”
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, commiserated with the victims.
The forum called on public emergency agencies, humanitarian organisations, and first responders to expedite assistance to the flood victims without the usual bureaucratic delays.
It called for immediate action to provide food, clean drinking water, medical supplies, and temporary shelter to affected communities.
ACF called for a more stringent implementation of town and regional planning laws.
“It is no longer acceptable for lives, property, and livelihoods to be lost due to incompetence, dereliction of duty, and corrupt practices,” the forum said,
ACF urged the public to adopt sound environmental and hygienic practices, such as avoiding the blockage of drainages and watercourses and refraining from dumping refuse in unauthorised places.
1,000 displaced in Kaduna
Other states were also affected by flooding in recent weeks.
The agency said states with the highest number of persons affected by the floods are: Bauchi, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa.
Others, it said, are: Adamawa, Niger, Bayelsa, Kano, Borno, Imo, Benue, Ondo, Taraba, and Katsina.
As of yesterday, the floods had claimed over 180 lives, caused injuries of varying degrees to over 2,034, destroyed farmlands, damaged several houses, and displaced several people.
According to this year’s flood update by NEMA, 28 states and 140 local government areas across the country have been impacted by floods.
The data reads: “One hundred and forty local government areas in 28 states have been affected by the floods; 548,484 persons affected; 208,736 displaced; 80,891 houses affected; 185 lives lost; 2,034 injuries sustained; 107,652 hectares of farmlands affected.”
The figures of affected persons in various states are: “Bauchi – 85,870; Zamfara – 74,958; Sokoto – 73,886; and Jigawa – 57,290.
In the bustling city of Lagos, the battle against flooding and illegal land sales has reached a boiling point in many communities. Developers, driven by greed and disregard for official warnings, have continued to exacerbate the flooding problems, resulting in the displacement of countless families and individuals who dwell in these communities. HALIMAH BALOGUN writes that as government agencies continue to sound the alarm, resistance and apathy from developers have left many residents in a state of despair.
Lagos often referred to as Nigeria’s Centre of Excellence and State of Aquatic Splendour has a flooding crisis, and the consequences are far-reaching. The results impact public health and safety negatively. The flooding results from what experts described as a flawed drainage system and poor city planning.
One of the primary issues fueling the flooding crisis in Lagos is the unscrupulous actions of developers who knowingly build on flood-prone areas, disregarding environmental assessments and regulations. Worst still, the developers feign ignorance of the devastating effects of flooding on the socio-economic lives of the residents.
Flooding has some adverse effects, among which include loss of human life, property and infrastructure damage, road closures, erosion and landslide risks.
Generally, flooding is caused by heavy rainfall and climate change. It typically occurs when prolonged rain falls over several days when intense rain falls over a short period, or when a river or stream overflows onto the surrounding area. Flooding can also result from the failure of a water control structure.
Damaging flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. Floods can occur within minutes or over a long period and may last for days, weeks, or longer.
Regrettably, developers do not take cognisance of the dangerous effects of the devastating tendencies of flooding on the environment.
By cutting corners to maximise profits, these developers have contributed significantly to the degradation of the city’s natural drainage systems, leading to widespread flooding during the rainy seasons.
Moreover, the illicit practice of selling lands without proper authorisation has further complicated the situation. In communities across Lagos, unsuspecting buyers have fallen victim to unscrupulous land sales, only to discover that the lands they have purchased are not legally recognised. As a result, many residents find themselves embroiled in legal battles, facing the looming threat of eviction from the lands they believed to be rightfully theirs.
Compounding these challenges is the blatant refusal of some developers to heed warnings issued by government agencies about building codes and compliance. Despite repeated directives to adhere to regulations aimed at mitigating flooding and ensuring the safety of structures, many developers have continued to flout these guidelines, leading to the proliferation of non-compliant buildings in vulnerable areas.
In response to these pressing issues, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has announced plans to demolish non-compliant buildings to address the threats posed by illegal developments and flooding which has become increasingly worrisome. This decisive action by the FHA signals a concerted effort to reclaim communities from the grip of dishonest developers and provide relief for residents who have borne the brunt of the flooding crisis.
During a tour of FESTAC Town up to the Abule-Ado area, a lot of abnormalities were observed, ranging from a reduction in the size of roads, blockage of drainage systems and canals and other flagrant defiance to property laws as construction work was ongoing at the sites.
However, the Deputy General Manager of Urban and Regional Planning for the zone, Francesca Michael-James said the Federal Government will not fold its arms and allow things to degenerate.
FHA’s decision
The Federal Housing Authority (FHA), South West Zone has disclosed plans to resume the demolition of illegal structures in the FESTAC Town area of Lagos State, especially at Phase 2.
The FHA said some of the structures had earlier been marked for demolition as their owners had contravened safety rules.
This was disclosed during a press conference organised by the zone in Lagos.
The Zonal Managing Director, Hakeem Olugbenro, Deputy General Manager of Urban and Regional Planning, Francesca Michael-James and the Head of Land Survey, Lawal Umar-Salihu lamented the gross violation of government rules among homeowners in the town.
According to them, land-grabbing activities have grossly constituted the menace of illegal structures being witnessed in FESTAC Town, and the Federal Government is ready to checkmate the trend.
Some land speculators and land grabbers with their illegal structures have tampered with the original masterplan of FESTAC and this may adversely affect the environment in terms of flooding and other aspects detrimental to the well-being of FESTAC people.
The representatives promised that demolition of illegal structures will resume in earnest as notices have been served since August 2023.
The Zonal Manager, South West, Akintola Olugbenro said access to the affected area has been cumbersome because of encroachment and illegal development.
He said: “After so many years getting access to the property belonging to the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) in FESTAC Town has been cumbersome, especially in terms of encroachment and illegal development.
“This has become so wide, that it is turning the whole place into a slum. The FHA does not build slums like we are being tagged.
“A lot of illegalities have taken place in that place and we are trying to see how best we can fix this to enable people to live in a more serene environment. Unfortunately, we have so many unprofessional estate developers and illegal property dealers who have defaced the environment.”
Corroborating his colleague’s assertion, the Deputy General Manager of South West Zone, Francesca Michael-James lamented the fruitless efforts of the government in restoring normalcy to the area, saying, “We are trying to have a sustainable environment and give people a livable town. FESTAC is swampy by nature and why it was developed in phases was reduced to the costs of reclaiming it. For instance, the Phase 1 and part of Phase 2 were sand-filled. Our role is to provide housing for people to enhance their lives, whether commercial or private.
“From the second phase towards Abule-Ado, the sand filling and road levelling were done and we have to continue from there because FHA has a masterplan for the whole landed property, which was done in the 70s before the commencement of FESTAC Town.
Distortion of Master Plan
“What we have noticed in FESTAC Town recently is haphazard development and distortion of the Master Plan. However, the activities of land speculators and land grabbers have disrupted the plans, especially in terms of drainage and canals.
“In the Master Plan, we have the major artilleries, collector and minor roads. For example, the standard of the Right of Way is about 50 width which was observed by occupants of the 1st to fifth avenues but at several other places in the Town, what we have is a distortion of the Master Plan and landfilling or road leveling is no longer in place.
“We started demolition of an illegal structure last year but there was a public outcry and, in response to this, we halted the demolition exercise and convened a stakeholders meeting to address the outcry.
“In furtherance, we embarked on a study of the area by flying a drone to the areas under Federal Government acquisition after which we asked the stakeholders to halt existing construction work to redesign the place and minimise the effects on people,” she said.
Floods have displaced 650,000 Nigerian children, making the country the second most exposed globally to the impacts of climate change on children.
The alarming displacement of children by floods occurred between 2016 and 2023.
This was contained in a press release by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), issued to journalists on Monday as Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark 2023 World Children’s Day (WCD) every November 20.
The U.N. Agency highlighted that more than 110 million Nigerian children are in jeopardy, grappling with the harsh consequences of escalating temperatures, floods, droughts, and severe storms.
Dr. Salisu Dahiru, Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, emphasised the urgency of Nigeria’s response to climate change.
He urged a swift and comprehensive approach that considers the needs of vulnerable populations, especially children and women, at both decision-making and implementation levels.
He said: “As one of the countries that suffer the greatest exposure to adverse climate impacts, Nigeria’s response to climate change must be swift and holistic, accounting for the needs of vulnerable people, including children and women, at the decision-making level, as well as in the implementation of the National Climate Change Action Plan.”
Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, underscores the significance of this celebration as a pivotal platform for children, who bear the brunt of climate change, to articulate their concerns and experiences.
Their contributions, he asserted are vital in shaping a collective path toward a sustainable and resilient future.
He said: “This celebration is a crucial platform for our children, the most affected by climate change, to voice their concerns and experiences. Their input is essential in shaping our collective path towards a sustainable and resilient future.”
The last few weeks have been sorrowful for many residents of some Ondo and Ekiti communities who have had to battle heavy downpours that rendered them homeless, DAMISI OJO and RASAQ IBRAHIM report
FOR the people of Ilaje and Ese- Odo local government areas of Ondo State, the 2019 floods may turn out to be a once-in-a-generation incident.
Ibini Obolo is a native of Igbotu, Ese- Odo local council. According to the story told him by his grandfather, the last time the people witnessed a flood like this was in 1962.
“I remember what my grandfather told me. The last time we had a very serious and devastating flood like this one was in 1962. According to my grandfather, that year’s flood was very devastating as well as destructive.”
While the 1962 floods were destructive for Obolo’s grandfather, the latest floods made it two times that floods would wreak havocs in Obolo’s family. His entire fishing pond business, which he put at more than N2 million, was washed away while he looked on perplexed and unable to do anything.
“I am a fish farmer. It is from this business that I train my children in the university and feed my family. I have more than N2 million investments washed away by the floods,” Obolo said. Across the state, the people of the areas are regarded as not being strangers to water, but the deluge of flood water occasioned by the recent rains have turned most of the residents of the areas into refugees in upland communities around.
More than one week after the intensity of the rains have subsided, the people have continued to count their losses. The rain, which is usually received with joy and excitement by the people, became destructive and devastating as the torrential heavy downpour, which lasted for several hours, displaced thousands of people and destroyed multimillion worth of properties.
According to the people, the devastating floods that accompanied the rain, caught many residents unaware. The people were in their sleep and were woken up by the flood on the fateful day around midnight. Many communities were submerged, while public facilities like primary and secondary schools, health facilities, banks and hotels were taken over by water.
Many houses were completely washed away by the flood, while other valuables such as mattresses, clothes, electronic appliances, foodstuffs, among others, were also lost.
Most of the residents in the affected communities are seeking refuge on major roads upland, where they now cook and sleep because, according to them, there was no alternative. Victims, who spoke with newsmen, appealed to the state and federal governments to come to their aid by providing relief materials for them and to construct embankment around the affected areas.
Some residents wading through flood
“I have not slept in my room for three days since Thursday. It has been flooded. There is water everywhere and I have nowhere to go,” Monday Ogbolo, a resident of Igbokoda, said.
Displaced residents whose belongings and valuables such as mattresses, clothes, electronic appliances and foodstuffs were damaged, were seen cooking on the road and sleeping under makeshift tents. Nonagenarian Mabel Ojute, a resident of Igbotu, which incidentally is the governor’s mother’s town, described the situation as hopeless. The old woman said she woke up and found out that her house had been taken over by water. She barely made to safety when the building collapsed.
“l was in my sleep when I felt an unusual coldness in my body and I quickly got up. Before I knew what was happening, the entire house had been filled up with water.
I began to shout for help, calling the people around for help. I also heard some other people in the communities whose houses have been submerged by flood calling for help. I rushed out of the house shouting, but soon after my house came down. I am lucky to be alive. “I began to cry because I have nobody to help me; I have nothing left behind. The flood has destroyed everything I have. So, I am appealing to government to come to my aid. As I’m talking to you now, most of us have nowhere to lay our heads. Since the incident happened, we have been sleeping on the roads upland our communities,” the old woman said. Madam Ojute is not alone in the cry for help and government’s intervention.
Mrs. Mobolaji, the Iyaloja of Igbotu, urged the government to come to the aid of the people. She added that the people of the community have been rendered helpless and homeless. “This year’s floods have destroyed all that we laboured for all our lives. Many people have been rendered homeless, while those whose houses are still standing cannot access them because they have been taken over by water.”
The Agadagba of Arogbo-Ijaw, Oba Zaccheaus Egbunnu, while appreciating the government’s quick response to the cry of the people, noted that his community was completely on lockdown, as buildings and roads have been submerged by the devastating flood. The Ondo State government is hearkening to the cries of the floods victims. Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu quickly assured the people of his administration’s support by setting up a twomember committee to visit the areas. The committee is expected to ascertain the extent of damage and come up with recommendations on how to mitigate the effects of the natural disaster on the victims as well as damaged property and equally advise on how to avert future occurrence in parts of the state.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, who led the committee on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the affected communities, assured the people of government’s support. Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye; Special Adviser to the Governor on Niger Delta, Hon. Oyebo Aladetan; OSOPADEC Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Edema and Hon.Lucky Ayedatiwa. The committee visited the headquarters of the two council areas, schools, hospitals, palaces, banks, churches, filling stations and residential houses in affected by the flood in Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas. Addressing the people at Igbokoda, the headquarter of Ilaje Local Government Area, Chief Ale regretted that the devastation caused by the floods was beyond what the Ondo State government could single-handedly address.
He, however, assured that Governor Akeredolu would work to secure the attention of Federal Government through the National Emergency Maintenance Agency (NEMA) to come to the aid of the affected people. “We are here on the order of Mr Governor to identify passionately with our people as a result of this unfortunate incident and to take stock of the damage to their property. Despite the devastating nature of the flood, we are glad no life has been reported lost. “We are expecting NEMA to come to the aid of the people, but it will depend on the quality of the report we are preparing, which will convince them to assist the individuals and corporate bodies affected,” Ale said. Governor Akeredolu also directed that all schools in the affected areas proceed on a three-week recess pending when the water would recede. The directive, according to the governor’s chief of staff, was to ensure that the children are not exposed to the dangers of the floods. “The governor has directed that school children in the affected areas go on holidays.”
The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, whose palace was also overrun by the flood, attributed the unfortunate incident to global warming and construction of structures on waterways. He demanded the timely demolition of such buildings to avert future occurrence in the town and other parts of the areas. The royal father suggested the construction of embankments in Ayetoro and Awoye communities to curtail the Atlantic Ocean from washing away the two local government areas in the near future.
The Agadagba of Arogbo-Ijaw, Oba Zaccheaus Egbunnu, while appreciating the government’s quick response to the cry of the people, noted that his community was completely on lockdown, as buildings and roads have been submerged by the devastating flood. Across the two local government areas, the flood victims appealed to governments at all levels to come to their rescue by providing necessary relief materials for them to cushion the effects of the natural disaster.
A road carved in
The victims made the separate appeals during the visits of the state government assessment committees to the flood ravaged communities to both Ese- Odo and Ilaje council areas submerged by floods. Some of the communities devastated by the flood in Ese-Odo local government council include Pinama, Tehagbene, Biagbene, Adolosemon 1-3, Ebikiri Model College, Opunama High School,Ajapa, FAC Primary HealthCare Centre, Ajapa, Amatebe, LA Pry School, Bolowo, Ukparama Grammar School Bolowo, New Jerusalem, Arogbo, Agadagba-obon, Igbobini, Sabomi, Igbotu and Oluagbo among others.
The story is the same in all the communities visited as all the communities, including primary and secondary schools, health facilities and churches, were totally submerged by floods, sacking all the residents and school children in the affected areas. Displaced residents whose belongings and valuables such as mattresses, clothes, electronic appliances, and foodstuffs were badly affected were seen cooking on the road and sleeping under makeshift tents. Ekiti victims count losses IN Ekiti State, rainfall is fast becoming more of aD curse than blessing on account of the resultant flash floods. Recent downpours in the affected communities have left tears in its wake and thrown many of the residents into misery.
The rains, which commenced around February, have already taken their tolls on many communities in the state. Ado- Ekiti, the state capital, has been the worst hit. Many houses, shops and vehicles have been destroyed while human lives were also lost in the worst case scenario. In particular, the rains that fell in Ado- Ekiti on September 30 and October 9 left a lot of losses in their trail. The affected areas include Emirin, Omisanjana, Egbewa, Olorunsogo, Olurunda, Ajebandele, Badiri and Ureje. The victims watched helplessly as their properties were destroyed and swept away. The September 30 torrential rainfall, which began around 7.30 pm and lasted till 9 pm, destroyed the more than 100 years old Ureje Bridge on the ever busy Ado/Ijan/Ikare highway. The bridge, which connects the state capital with other adjoining communities, became flooded while the road was rendered impassable.
The road, incidentally, is the only one linking Ado Ekiti with Afe Babalola University, the Federal Polytechnic and Ikare Akoko in Ondo State. The biggest loss, however, was a middle- aged man that was swept away by the flood. The deceased man was said to be returning from a trip to Abuja when he met his untimely death at his point of destination. The Nation gathered that he was warned by the people in the neighbourhood not to dare walking through the flood but he did not listen. The death toll would have been more but for the exploits of a brave and kindhearted Hausa man who deployed his swimming skills to rescue some would be casualties who were already overwhelmed by flood while trying to find their ways. The Public Relations Officer of the Ekiti State Police Command, Caleb Ikechukwu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed the death. “Yes, I can confirm to you that one man died after
As residents of the nation’s capital grapple with sweeping floodwaters, the authorities are taking steps to avert horrific eventualities. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports
The seasonal visitor has its uses. It waters the grounds, distributing much-needed nutrients for the farmers. But it also brings much grief. Homes and farmlands are washed away with crops. People die. Others structures also give away.
The authorities in the nation’s capital are not sitting idly by. They are working to minimise the horrors of the seasonal floods. For instance, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa has since flagged off the 2019 assessment of flood-prone areas in the Area Councils at Ashara-Wako in Kwali Area Council with a call on residents to desist from dumping refuse in drainage channels or farming on river banks and building on waterways.
Ohaa who blamed the attitude of residents for the reoccurring flooding incidents in the FCT, particularly condemned the activities of estate developers who deliberately contravene provisions of the master plan and build houses on flood plains, natural courses and channels of rivers.
He warned residents against further violation of these laid down environmental and development laws in the FCT, saying that the FCTA will not relent on its plan to remove houses built on waterways.
The Permanent Secretary said that potential buyers or renters of properties in the FCT should always carry out due diligence and find out from the relevant authorities in the FCTA if the developers have met the masterplan requirements before taking possession of properties.
He said, ”Find out from the relevant authorities in the FCTA if developers have met the masterplan requirements before building houses. This simple action could save lives and properties.”
The Permanent Secretary equally called on traditional rulers in the FCT and other stakeholders to support the various actions of government in this regard and also educate their subjects on the necessity of these actions.
He also appealed to the media to emphasise safety issues, especially human activities which increase vulnerability to flooding and other forms of disaster, as part of their corporate social responsibilities.
Speaking on the Gangara/Yaba road project in the Abaji and Kwali Area Councils, contracts of which has been awarded, Sir Ohaa assured that the FCT Administration will ensure that the project is completed on schedule.
The Director General, FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Abbas Idriss, expressed delight that government’s intervention has restored the Walko-Ashara link bridge between Abaji and Kwali Area Council which hitherto was cut off by flooding. He urged the community leaders to take very seriously the flood preventive programmes introduced by government and ensure compliance with sensitisation messages.
Abbass commended all the stakeholders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), security agencies, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) as well members of the various communities for their flood risk prevention initiatives in the FCT.
He called for attitudinal change towards the environment, saying it is only by so doing that the dangers of flooding will be mitigated in the FCT.
“He said, “it is therefore the responsibility of community leaders to ensure compliance to sensitisation messages, especially with regards to proper waste disposal and avoidance of building or farming on waterways, while parents should also advise their children against risky behaviours such as swimming during the raining season when the water level is high”, the DG said.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman, Kwali Area Council, Danladi Chiya, thanked the FCT Permanent Secretary for his immense support to the FCT Area Councils. He also appreciated FEMA for their quick intervention in the restoration of the Ashara-Walko Bridge, linking Kwali and Abaji Area Councils which was destroyed by flood.
As flood continues to wreak havoc in various parts of Anambra State, it has thrust to the fore the plight of the most vulnerable segment of the society: expectant mothers, nursing mothers, children and the aged.
The pitiable conditions of these vulnerable persons are worsened by the frequent diversion of the relief materials provided for them by the government, organisations and other public-spirited individuals.
Those in charge of the displaced persons have severally been accused of diverting the materials meant for the flood victims to their personal use.
This ugly development might be the reason the wife of the state governor, Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano made a special case for them during a visit to some of the holding centres in the state to ascertain the general living condition of the people.
Some of the holding centres she visited were those in Ogbaru Local Government Area Headquarters and St. Joseph Memorial Secondary School, Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area where the affected persons are currently taking shelter.
Mrs Obiano, who was led round the facilities by the Transition Chairmen of the respective Local Government Areas and officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), underscored the place of adequate medical and food supports to pregnant women, nursing mothers and children.
She implored the managers of the centres to give special attention to the food and medical needs of the affected persons.
According to her, it was morally obligatory to lend a hand of solidarity to people hit by the inadvertent tragedies of nature, urging the affected persons to find fortitude in the temporariness of the siege.
She said, “I thank you all for your efforts to safe-guard these brothers and sisters, but I am making a case for pregnant women, breast feeding mothers and children.
“We must make sure they are fed as at the right time until the water recedes and they are able to go back home.”
While presenting relief materials for the IDPs to the officials, the governor’s wife urged caretakers of the centres to ensure the relief materials were evenly and judiciously distributed to only the people that needed them.
Speaking on the health conditions of the IDP centres, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, revealed that there was no major health setback as the Ministry of Health was supplementing efforts of other agencies by ensuring adequate health provisions in the holding centres.
Among the relief materials presented to the affected persons at the centres were mattresses, mosquito nets, packs of toilet tissues, baby diapers, cartons of tin tomatoes, detergents, soaps and beverages.
Others items included bags of rice, bags of beans, bags of garri and bags of cooking salt, gallons of red and groundnut oil, towels, fruits, snacks, and water.
Mrs Obiano was accompanied in the visit by the Speaker of State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Rita Maduagwu, Member Representing Orumba South at the State House of Assembly, Princess Nikky Ugochukwu, Commissioners for Basic Education, Prof Kate Omenugha and that of Agriculture, Mechanisation, Processing and Export, Mr. Afam Mbanefo, amongst others.
