NIGERIANS TOLD TO EXPECT HEAVY FLOODINGby | 13-08-2015 03:55 |
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 In one of my recent reports, I opined that Nigeria may witness heavy flooding this year if the early signs are anything to go by and just late week Thursday, the National Emergency Management Agency- a body saddled with the responsibility of meeting Nigeria's emergency needs and humanitarian efforts- gave Nigerians a flood alert especially people living around the river line informing them of the possibility of heavy flooding in Nigeria and the need for them to be ready for any emergency evacuation. The announcement came on the heels of the commendable gesture of Cameroonian authorities who informed their Nigerian counterparts that they will be releasing water from the Ladgo dam into the River Benue-the major tributary of Atlantic ocean- to relive the dam of excessive build-up until November 2015. You recall that in 2012, Nigeria witnessed huge flooding- the worst in over 40 years- when Cameroon did the same thing without informing the Nigerian authorities to take necessary actions and many rivers overflew there banks which sacked many communities in the country as well as leaving many dead in both Nigeria and Cameroon. There were huge number of displaced persons then with churches and schools also affected. Infact, as of November 5th, 2012, 353 people were reported to have been killed by the flood while 2.1 million were displaced. That ugly situation which started in July 2012 left Nigeria with a damage totalling about 2.6 trillion naira and affected a total of 7million people in 30 Nigerian states. After that ugly experience, Nigeria requested Cameroon to inform her ahead of time whenever they want to release water from their dam and this is exactly what Cameroon has done. This will majorly affect a host of communities in Eastern and North central states of Nigeria which hosts river Niger and river Benue respectively. Media houses have been urged to sensitize the people, especially those on the riverine areas, on the need to be ready for a possible evacuation in anticipation of heavy flooding. Indeed, there's no doubting this anticipation as the signs are clearly pointing towards a repeat of the 2012 situation but I hope that there would be no loss of lives or much damages. I will do my best to ensure effective sensitization of the concerned communities. It is a time where I will take it up as my task as the Eco-Generation ambassador to Nigeria to sensitize the public on the need to be alert to this situation and be ready for evacuation. I will also work with the government,if they agree, to help avert the dangers this situation will likely pose. Photo: Vanguardngr.com
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