NIGERIA: CLIMATE CHANGE FLOODING, BUSH BURNING AND WHAT COULD BE DONEby | 01-04-2014 04:27 |
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With the change in climate so conspicuous in the Southeast region of Nigeria and indeed Nigeria at large, it will be foolhardy of one to keep being surprised by the rising trend of climate inconsistencies. But then, may I reel out a few instances of the obvious effects of climate change in Nigeria. In 2012,Lagos state,the commercial nerve center of Nigeria was overwhelmingly flooded. In fact,it was so bad that people left their homes to a more safe place. My friend,who was with his family in Lagos then because of the long vacation, told me upon his return to school, that they had to hire some rooms in a hotel for some weeks as their house was submerged in water. However,though Lagos-which is in Southwest Nigeria- has half of its territory two meters(2meters) below sea level and has been experiencing flooding, this was one too much and it owed all to climate change. Similarly, in that same 2012,if Nigerians were still struggling to come to terms with the effects of climate change, their doubts were quickly cleared as an overwhelming flood submerged three local governments in Anambra state namely Anambra East, Anambra West and Ogbaru Local Government Areas. What made the case of Anambra state the more shocking was that such had never happened before in their history. Thousands of people were displaced (53489 displaced in Anambra state and Delta state-a neighbouring state with less casualties according to NEMA,National Emergency Management Agency), many new companies were submerged in fact,virtually all the state had gained over the years in those local government,they lost in those weeks of consistent flooding. To compound their woos,dangerous and hitherto strange reptiles were introduced to their community after the flooding. Again,the government spent heavily in cleaning up the community as well as providing relief materials for displaced victims. The Anambra state scenario was an Eye-opener for other states in Nigeria. Now,it's no longer news that prevention is better than cure but what may be news is the inability of some of our stakeholders to act as fast as should. Bush burning is a major contributor to Climate change (global warming) and looking at my region,I can say that if there's anything that we contribute more to climate change, bush burning should rank high in that list. The rate at which people burn bushes here is outrageous and what is makes it more disheartening is the fact that educated people are also culprits in this ugly act. When bushes are burnt and are turned to a form of table land,a little rise in the sea level will easily find its way to our communities as there are no ridges,trees,trunks to stop the water from flowing or give it a better channel. Going by the fact that the 2012 flooding owed much to the overflowing of River Niger after consistent heavy downpour, the importance of not leaving lands as empty as could be cannot be overemphasized. I picked interest in writing this piece as predictions have continued to be made that such heavy flooding season may well be on the cards again. But then,let's look briefly at few reasons why people burn bushes here. FEW REASONS WHY PEOPLE ENGAGE IN BUSH BURNING IN NIGERIA: * The increasing rate of rape in some parts of Nigeria has been attributed to the presence of bushes around people's home as rapists take advantage of the bush to perpetrate their evil act hence,people are more eager to get the bush cleared than have it endanger their children. * Hunters make use of bush burning during dry season to ensure success in their pursuit of games. * Bushes are also burnt here to stop smokers from using such places as their smoking sites as well as a "waste dumping" site. So, looking at some of the reasons why people indulge in this act here,it appears the government still have much to do. Both in sensitisation and in creation of a suitable environment for things like hunting. I will be working on some suggestions for some of the state governments here to see if they can implement them to help save our environment. The earth is ours and ours, also, is the responsibility to protect it. Let's do it! |
