Disaster, either natural or man-made, remains one phenomenon an average human being will ever love to hate, in view of the devastating effects on social and economic life of any environment and the people.
Disaster in general terms include, flood, fire outbreak, plane crash, tornado mudslide, erosion, desert encroachment.
The common feature of most disasters remains sudden occurrence.
In Nigeria, the two perspectives of disaster have continued to bedevil many communities and states, man-made and nature.
The recent floods that visited two states: Lagos and Niger states with monumental destruction to lives and property have been attributed to both man-made and natural.
The continued worrisome effects of the various disasters being experienced in many parts of Nigeria, especially in recent times, have further reinforced the need by government and stakeholders to find lasting solutions to them.
There are strong indications that government and other stakeholders in the management of environment are not resting on their oars in the efforts to avert or mitigate the effects of disasters.
In South-West region of the country, stakeholders involved in protecting the environment have called for proactive measures by government and other stakeholders in tackling the perennial natural and manmade disasters in the country.
They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) across some South West states and Kwara.
In the South-West, the Chairman of an Ibadan-based NGO, Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST), Prof. David Okali, urged government agencies charged with the responsibility of monitoring the environment to take proactive action to prevent the occurrence of disasters as opposed to reactionary measures.
Okali said the advice became necessary because the country was at risk of both natural and man-made forms of disasters.
“Natural disasters occur due to natural phenomenon, but it will interest you to know that most remote causes of natural disasters are as a result of human activities and interference.
“Man-made disasters, including flooding and deforestation are triggered by human activities and attitude toward the environment,” he said.
He said that man-made disasters experienced in the country were further aggravated by weak structures, poverty and lack of sanctions.
“To tackle disasters, there is the need to look at the contributing factors to human activities that induce man-made disasters.
“For example, improper waste disposal and dumping of refuse in drains result in blocked drainage system which would eventually trigger flooding.
“Construction work and concentration of human population should be avoided in the floodplains as well,” he said.
The NEST boss said that many of the various regulatory agencies charged with protecting the environment against disasters were performing well in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities.
He, however, said that many of the agencies lacked adequate skilled manpower and funding to perform effectively.
Also, an environmentalist, Mr Kehinde Shitta-Bey, called for systematic solution to the problem of disasters by investigating the reasons behind the irresponsible activities of man toward his environment.
“The reason why they are called man-made disasters is simply because they are perpetuated by man.
Shitta-Bey said that sensitisation campaigns and creating incentives for proper waste disposal and management by individuals would help address the problem of man-made disasters.
“An important factor in tackling disasters is to increase the work force of the agencies responsible for waste management in the country.
“This is in respect of the ever rising population to prevent a situation where these agencies are overburdened and ultimately overwhelmed.
“There is also the need for massive radical campaigns on the role of individuals to check the occurrence of disasters.
“For example, people ought to start viewing the waste streams as a pool of resources and avenue to wealth, rather than actual “waste” designated for landfills.
“This will reduce drastically the amount of waste generated and its associated effects,” he said.
The environmentalist also called for strict adherence to safety guidelines in the work environment.
“Agencies and personnel tasked with the responsibility of regulating human activities as it concerns the environment should avoid cutting corners with projects that impact directly on human life.
“There is need for training, retraining, planning and preparedness in the event of disasters, to record minimal loss of lives and properties.
“Regular reviews of the operations of work places by independent agencies to identify potential threats to life and property should be implemented, “he said.
Prof. Ojo Olaniran of the Department of Geography, University of Ilorin, on his part, called on the Federal Government to strengthen the Nigerian Meteorological Service and increase its radar weather stations from two to 14.
He noted that rainfall in Southern Nigeria had resulted in erosion and flooding, mainly in August and September in the last decade.
Olaniran further urged the government to establish well informed monitoring, management and protection environmental system for the country.
A town planner, Mr Rotimi Daodu, suggested that government at all levels should be strict in enacting environmental laws that would stand the test of time.
He also said government should discourage unnecessary digging of boreholes, gutters and laying of pipes without seeking approval from the Town Planning Departments.
Daodu also called on government to discourage illegal mining, saying this has impacted negatively on the environment.
Mrs Aminat Kareem of the Kwara Ministry of Environment warned the public against indiscriminate dumping of refuse on water ways and drains, saying they were inviting environmental disasters by their actions.
“Indiscriminate dumping of refuse is dangerous as it causes flood when water passage is blocked,” she said.
In Abeokuta, the Ogun Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bolaji Oyeleye, emphasised the need for adequate infrastructure development to enable states effectively tackle the attendant effects of natural and man-made disasters.
Oyeleye also told NAN that there should be proper drains, canals and dams across the states for proper channelisation of water.
“Once there is an outpour of water, it is expected that drains should be available to properly channel and drain waters to different tributaries which will eventually drain it to the lagoon.
“When drains and dams are in place, it is expected that there will be little or no flood.
“In the event where you have floods, it will be flash floods which means in a matter of minutes, the water will drain away,” he said.
He expressed concern over the indiscriminate disposal of waste in many parts of the country, adding that the practice had largely contributed to blockage of drains.
The commissioner called for constant maintenance of the drains through de-silting for the evacuation of the sands and rubbles which often clog the drainage path.
“Where there is no proper channelisation, the drains will be blocked and flooding then becomes inevitable,” he said.
Oyeleye said that Ogun had only experienced flash flood in spite being named among the 30 states of the federation prone to flooding in the current year by NiMET.
The commissioner said that the state was able to contain the rains and prevent possible negative effects of disasters through the provision of necessary infrastructure and channelisation of the drains across the state.
“The massive infrastructural development embarked upon by the present administration in Ogun includes road networks with good drains.
“We also maintain these drains with equipment and machineries to de-silt swamp boogies, canals and the river courses that are being clogged from time to time,” he said.
Oyeleye, who noted that the state had experienced much rains in the current season, however, assured residents that “there is no cause for alarm as the government is on top of the situation.’’
He urged residents to package their waste neatly by the road side, assuring them that waste collectors from the ministry would on daily basis pack them.
The commissioner warned that dumping refuse into drains could endanger their lives in the event of flooding and result in loss of property.
He said the state had invested much in creating public awareness on the danger, causes and effects of flooding and the need to keep their surroundings clean.
Oyeleye explained that several environmental-related laws were being implemented in the state to check possible excesses of the residents and to maintain a safe and friendly environment.
“Our core mandate is threefold. We protect, maintain and develop the environment and there are laws guiding our work,” he said.
According to him, there is an annual budgetary provision for environmental issues in the state while the state government collaborates effectively with the federal environmental agencies.
Oyeleye, who did not specify the exact state budgetary allocation to environmental protection, described the amount as “quite a lot’’.
In Akure, the Ondo State Ministry of Environment appealed to the people of the state to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse on waterways to prevent blockage.
Mr Olumide Kinga, the Director of Ecology in the ministry, said the state government was taking steps to ensure that “blocked drains do not result in flooding of affected areas’’.
“The Ondo State Ministry of Environment has started the removal of debris from streams and rivers in areas prone to flooding and erosion.
“We started at Asewa Street through Isokun to Idimepen Police Station in Ijebu Owo.
“ The amphibious excavator team of the ministry also de-silted River Isokun because it is prone to flooding.
‘’We have received complaints of this type of problems from Ikare, Okitipupa and other parts of the state,” he said.
However, the Ekiti State Government, identified negligence and recalcitrant attitude of some residents as the major causes of the disasters in the state.
The Commissioner for Environment, Chief Bisi Kolawole, told NAN in Ado Ekiti that these residents were sabotaging government’s policies.
He said many residents were in the habit of throwing refuse into waterways and drains.
The commissioner said 66,302 metres of waterways had been dredged across the state in the last two years of the present administration in the state.
He disclosed that out of the figure, 32, 350 metres of waterways were dredged in Ado Ekiti, the state capital alone.
Kolawole said N1.6 billion was allocated to the Ministry of Environment in the current 2017 budget.
He said out of the amount, N600 million was budgeted for sewage and drains.
An environmentalist, Dr Deola Akanbi, lamented what he called the “ mad rush for land reclamation, ’’ saying this was a major factor militating against a safe environment in the state.
He said the way some residents engaged in uncontrolled sand excavation had become alarming.
Dr Kolapo Olusola, the state’s Deputy Governor, urged residents to learn to cooperate with government by being proactive in reducing cases of natural and man-made disasters.
He expressed concern that past experience had shown that such ugly incidents could have been prevented, if residents obey basic environmental laws.
He, however, said that no fewer than 800 disaster victims had been assisted so far by the present administration in the state.
Olusola also said the state had set up an Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee with a view to tackling cases of disasters.
He added that government had also strengthened the State Fire Services for improved service delivery.
Contributing, the Ekiti Coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency, Mr Saheed Akiode, attributed the major cause of disasters in the state to negligence in protecting the environment.
Environmental experts in Osun also attributed abuse of nature as the major cause of environmental disasters in the country.
The experts called on government at all levels to as a matter of urgency tackle the menace as a way of preventing or minimising disasters.
The Osun Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mr Idowu Korede, said dumping of refuse and erecting of houses on water ways was one of the causes of flooding in most parts of the country.
The commissioner, however, said that the state government had invested a lot in public enlightenment as well as continuous dredging of water ways and channels to prevent flooding.
He also said public enlightenment by the media had also gone a long way to prevent serious flooding disaster in the state.
Korede said as part of control mechanism, environmental laws would be enforced to apprehend and prosecute those dumping waste in water ways.
He urged the people to obey environmental laws by refraining from dumping refuse or erecting houses on water ways to avert flood disaster.
The Director of Operations, State Emergency Maintenance Agency (OSEMA), Mr Tajudeen Adabanija, said the agency was committed to educating Nigerians on the implications of exposing the environment to flood, landslide, mudslide and other disasters.
Adabanija said the agency had been visiting schools, organisations, hospitals, factories and markets places to keep the public enlightened on the danger of exposing environment to unforeseen disasters.
“We have our representatives in most of the public and private outlets, to enlighten the public on disaster management and other unforeseen environmental disasters, “Adabanija said.
He said the agency had also embarked on radio programmes to keep the public informed on the risk involved in exposing their environment to disasters.
Adabanija said the state government was supportive in providing funds in time of emergencies.
Also, Dr Oluwole Daramola, a lecturer of Urban and Regional Planning, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said respect for principles of urban planning in Nigeria was one of the ways to prevent environmental disasters in the country.
He said in spite of the annual budgetary allocation toward the prevention of environmental disasters as well enlightenment campaign by NEMA and SEMA, cases of flooding remained high in the country.
Daramola urged government to ensure strict compliance to urban and rural master plans.
Similarly, some stakeholders in the environmental sector in South-East said the only panacea to solve environmental disasters was for the three tiers of government to muster the political will to tackle the disasters.
Mr Kelechi Okezie, Coordinator,Neigbhourhood Environmental Watch, an NGO in Ebonyi noted that most environmental laws were not obeyed by the people.
“The Federal and state governments have enacted various laws to check environmental disasters such as flooding, deforestation, among others, but individuals who violate these laws are not punished.
“The rate of flooding experienced in the country is due to blockage of drains, buildings on waterways, but the offenders are not prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others,” Okezie said.
Dr Bridget Ikeme, a university lecturer, blamed occurrence of disaster on the preferential treatment given to some Nigerians in terms of observing environmental regulations due to societal status had not helped the matter.
“The recent flood disaster which wrecked havoc in some high-brow areas of Lagos for instance, was caused by the state government’s failure to enforce stipulated environmental regulations due to the calibre of persons involved.
“Individuals who built houses in Lekki and other affected areas were aware that such places were on waterways, but they manipulated the regulations, built their houses and this resulted to the heavy flooding,” Ikeme said.
Mr Oziomachukwu Eze, Executive Secretary, Ebonyi Environmental Management Agency (SEMA), said that the agency was increasing its campaigns to ensure that individuals observe environmental regulations.
“The state government spends much in assisting victims of natural disasters such as flooding and we enlighten individuals not to block drains with waste and relocate from flood-prone areas during heavy rainfall.
“We also collaborate with other relevant agencies to ensure overall environmental best practices,” Eze said.
The Imo Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Evans Ugoh, said the agency focused more on preventive measures in tackling natural disasters.
Ugoh said NEMA had provided early warning to people in flood-prone areas of the state and educated them on measures to avoid the devastation by flooding.
Ugoh also said that weather predictions by NiMet were closely monitored and necessary actions taken to ensure that people observe environmental laws.
He said the agency was well staffed, especially with the training of National Youth Corps members to act as emergency management vanguards on sensitisation and disaster risk reduction.
Mr Ephraim Tasie of the Ministry of Petroleum and Environment called for de-silting of gutters and other drainage systems.
Tasie noted that planting of grasses could also be used to check erosions and other environmental problems which stemmed from flooding.
In Enugu, the Commissioner for Environment, Amb. Fidel Ayogu said the ministry had commenced construction of waterways and de-silting of major water outlet channels.
He said, “We have started checking waterlog around the Ebeano Tunnel axis of the state by constructing a well-embarked and large drainage system, replicated in other places.
“The ministry has mobilised its staff and those of agencies under it for ongoing drainage system de-silting to ensure free-flow of water.’’
The commissioner said that the ministry had destroyed all shanties built by traders on drains and waterways in Enugu, Nsukka, Oji River and Awgu.
Mrs Amaka Anajemba, the Managing Director, Enugu State Waste Management Authority, said that sensitisation was the most effective tool to check all forms of disaster, whether natural or man-made.
“As a deliberate policy and programme, we have continued to engage and sensitised residents of the state through the mass media, churches, meetings and other social gatherings.
“Gradually, some members of the public had been won over and had voluntarily joined the idea of making our environment clean and healthy and self protection from disasters, especially man-made ones,’’ Anajemba said.
The zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr Martins Udeinya, said that there would be sustained results if every resident of the South-East key into NEMA’s campaigns.
Udeinya said that the agency had mapped out disaster areas in the zone and engaged stakeholders in proper enlightenment programme.
“For over three years, the agency has taken sensitisation to most flood and erosion-prone areas and taught the people, especially their leaders on what to do when there is a disaster,’’ Udeinya said.
In Awka, Chief Paul Odenigbo, the Executive Secretary, Anambra SEMA, said that gully erosion was the most threatening disaster recorded in the state.
He said the state had more than 782 erosion sites scattered across the 21 local government areas.
The SEMA scribe said that the state government partnered with communities, federal agencies and other donours to address some of the erosion menace.
The SEMA scribe decried the use of quacks and substandard materials in building constructions as well as people who build on waterways.
Odenigbo, however, said that response to disasters was not as effective as it should be because of limited resources available to the state government and other competing demands.
Mr Tony Okafor, an environmentalist, however, called on SEMA to pay more attention to preventive measures rather than management of emergencies.
Okafor said that building contractors, urban planners and environmental authorities should ensure they check unwholesome practices resulting to disasters, especially man-made disasters.
The President-General, Odume Obosi Central landlords Association and Obosi Urban Landlords Association, Chief Chudi Nwokediuko, advocated establishment of Community Environmental Watch Vanguards to checkmate environmental problems.
“If close watch is kept on the drains in our urban centres against people who often dump solid waste in the waterways, we would have reduced cases of flooding,’’ Nwokediuko said.
Mr Chukwudi Okaa, a resident of Awka, called on the state government to reintroduce visitation by local government environmental officers to communities to check homes and ensure clean environment.
Mrs Ngozi Anyadike, the Public Relations Officer, Anambra Environmental Protection Agency, stressed the need for the state government to place more emphasis on environmental studies, especially at primary and secondary school levels.
She explained that if the children would imbibe the right environmental attitude early, it would reduce the level of careless conducts that cause disaster.
In North-East, some stakeholders in environmental management and disaster control attributed the poor management of disasters in the country to inadequate funding among others.
Many of them in Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Adamawa and Jigawa states, called for protection of the environment to avert man-made and natural disasters.
Mr Barnabas Pata, Permanent Secretary, Adamawa Ministry of Environment, said that the nation’s environmental and disasters prevention policies were among the best in the world.
“The country has some of the best environmental prevention and control policies in the world, ’’he said.
According to him, the way out for the state government is to ensure adequate funding and involvement of the private sector in environmental management.
Mr Joel Midala, an environmental expert in Yola, suggested coherent synergy in information gathering and sharing between government agencies on how to prevent disaster and check re-occurrence of disasters.
Midala called for the introduction of community-based environmental protection and control service.
Also, Mr Haruna Hamman-Furo, the Executive Chairman, Adamawa Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), said the called for adequate manpower and equipment to monitor and prevent natural and man-made disaster in the state.
He said that the agency always rely on Federal Government, through NEMA and other International agencies for assistance in cases of disaster outbreak.
Alhaji Shehu Aliyu, the Director, News and Current Affairs, Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said that media organisations played significant role in informing, enlightening and educating people on the dangers of an unhealthy environment.
Malam Abbani Imam, Gombe State Coordinator, NEMA, called on government at all levels to provide functional equipment to enable agencies, saddled with the responsibility of managing disasters, discharge their duties effectively.
Imam said that with functional equipment, the agencies would take proactive measures to avert man-made and natural disasters.
He also urged individuals to take early warnings from NiMET serious and comply with its directives on safety.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it had evolved proactive strategies to enhance rapid response and management of disasters in the country.
Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja, Director-General of the agency, told NAN in Maiduguri that part of the strategy was to ensure adequate provision of equipment and training of personnel to enable the organisation cope with challenges.
Also, Alhaji Nasiru Surundi, Director, Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA), said the agency had executed viable projects to control disaster and protect the environment.
Surundi said the agency had evolved awareness creation activities to promote environmental friendly habits in the society.
The director also disclosed that the agency had distributed 2,000 dust bins and set up recycling plant to enhance waste management in the state.
He said BOSEPA also deployed over 1, 700 environmental and sanitation workers to Maiduguri and other major towns to ensure cleaning environment.
According to him, the agency has constituted environmental hazards assessment committees in some towns of the state to recommend ways of addressing environmental hazards.
“The exercise is designed to identify serious environmental challenges and proffer solutions to the problems.
“We deployed 40 environmental officers to Biu while in Maiduguri, we have 470 staff and 1,700 environmental sanitation vanguards currently working to protect the environment against man-made or natural calamity,’’ he said.
The Executive Secretary, Jigawa Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Yusuf Sani, said the agency had embarked on sensitisation and enlightenment campaign for people living around the riverside.
The essence he said, was for them to create embankments around their houses as proactive measure against flooding,
Sani said warning signal from NiMET indicated that Jigawa was among states that might be affected by flood this rainy season.
“In view of the warning, my agency purchased empty bags worth N5 million to be distributed and filled with sand by communities for embankments to protect houses by the riverside.”
He said such communities living around the Hadejia-Jamaare River Basin are: Hadejia, Auyo, Ringim, Guri, Birniwa, Jahun, among others.
Sani said the state government had also hired machine for dredging and removal of filth from the river basin to save the communities from floods.
Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, Director, Jigawa Fire Service, advised the people to sand fill wells not in use to avert disaster and to avoid building houses close to river banks.
The Kano State Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SERERA) in collaboration with the Emirate Council said it had begun sensitisation tour of 10 local government areas in the state expected to experience flooding.
He said Nimet had identified 10 local government areas in the state that would experience flooding during the 2017 rainy season.
The SERERA Executive Secretary, Alhaji Ali Bashir, said the exercise became necessary to educate the people on the need to take proactive measures to prevent possible flooding.
He said, ’’The campaign will also enable the agency to educate people, especially in the flood prone areas, the need to clear their drains and waterways and avoid erecting structures on waterways.’’
He listed the local government areas slated for the tour to include: Kura, Bagwai, Kiru, Bebeji, Madobi, Dawakin Kudu, Warawa, Wudil, Gaya and Garun-Malam.
He said the agency had also written to the 10 local governments to advice communities living around river banks to be on alert in case of any eventuality.
He said a 14-man Emergency Operation Committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, was reconstituted to ensure effective sensitisation campaign on the dangers associated with flagrant violation of environmental laws.
“The Committee is also expected to mobilise members with a view to ensuring quick and prompt response to disaster anywhere it occurs in the state.
Bashir disclosed that the agency had also sponsored jingles in the state radio and television, aimed at reaching people in the remote areas of the state.
Taraba Commissioner for Environment Mrs Rebecca Manasseh said the state government had embarked on sensitisation and mobilisation for them to be conscious of the devastating effects of natural disasters.
Also in Lagos state, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare said the state government would soon have tracked litre bins in strategic places for collection of waste.
“Then, the government will start prosecuting those dropping refuse on the ground and anyhow,” he said.
Mrs Shade Nubi, Senior Environmental Engineer, University of Lagos (UNILAG), urged the state government to have efficient monitoring team or task force to checkmate the menace.
She also called for continuous education of the people on the care for the environment and the need for them to be mindful of the consequences of disasters.
Nubi further advised people to avoid recurrence of floods by ensuring proper waste management, avoid building on the waterways and get the necessary approvals before construction.
Mr Lucky Amiwero, National President of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, stressed the need for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be done professionally in tackling natural and man-made disasters.
“The EIA of any development project in the host community is very important.
Prof. Peter Nwilo, former Surveyor-General of the Federation said, ‘It is not easy to clean dirt or refuse in the ocean; so, the best thing is to prevent it.
Nwilo said that the sea level was rising because of human activities such as dumping of refuse on water ways, adding that such activities should be stopped to avert further disaster.
“A lot of sand filling is going on to reclaim lands for developments. Most of them are blocking the entrance of water to the Lagoon.
“In a situation like this, any torrential rainfall will cause flooding and other environmental disasters.”
Mr Victor Imevbore, the Chairman of Nigerian Environmental Society, Lagos Island Chapter, said that individuals should stop acquiring lands and building in flood-prone areas.
“’Houses built indiscriminately in flood-prone areas are disasters waiting to happen.
“Disasters do not understand status symbols. ‘’Whether it is mudslide or landslide, it buries everything on its way, no matter who lives there; so also flooding.
“Individuals should be wise when choosing a location to build houses, be it for personal or commercial purposes,” he said.
In Sokoto State, Malam Abubakar Abdullahi, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Environment, said the ministry conducted monthly sanitation to enable people clean their environment.
He also said government recruited 550 youths on routine township environmental sanitation to prevent flooding and enhance public hygiene.
According to him, tree nursery centres have been established to provide enough tree seedlings for planting to combat desert encroachment.
He explained that more enlarged drains were being constructed to provide increased water passage and address all forms of environmental degradations.
His colleague in Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Mr Hussaini Ibrahim called for attitudinal change among Nigerians to reduce disaster to the barest minimum.
Ibrahim said that the state government had made adequate budgetary provision for the prevention of disasters.
However, NEMA in Kaduna state called on Nigerians to heed to early warnings on disasters and emergencies for prevention and mitigation of disasters in the country.
Its North-West Zonal Coordinator, Ishaya Chonoko, said early warnings would enable government and stakeholders to work with other disaster managers for the prevention and mitigation of disasters.
The Executive Secretary, SEMA, Ezikel Karikin, said, ‘’SEMA is proactive in dealing with the issue of flooding.
‘’Natural disasters like flood usually do not give notice before they happen, but they can be prevented.
‘’We have shifted our attention from mere provision of relief materials to prevention.’’
He advised residents to keep government abreast of emergency situations, particularly flood related cases, for prompt and adequate intervention.
In a related development, the Plateau Commissioner for Environment, Mr Abdullahi Abbas called for review of certain laws that govern the environment and ensure effective implementation of certain policies that protect people and the environment from disasters.
Prof. Prince Mmon, Lecturer, University of Port Harcourt, urged the Federal Government to be proactive in its land use policies, to check environmental disaster.
Mmon of Environmental and Disaster Management Department of the institution, called for more environment-friendly policies in government’s urbanisation plan to make environment much safer.
According to him, natural disasters may not be completely eradicated but can be reduced by people adhering to best practices such as the land use zoning policy.
“Land use zoning system allows urban forests and water shades in the development plans of modern cities, these forests and water shades serve as storage organs for water on over saturated land.
“In some parts of Nigeria, where the water table is already high, it means that
between four to five days consistent rain fall could cause flooding as the land would have been over saturated with water.
“Government should begin to allow ‘fallow land’ within cities in regions where the water table is already high, to serve as water storage organs and prevent flooding during the raining season,” he advised.
In Benin, Edo, Mr Giwa Bisirodipe of Nigeria Tree Planter Foundation advised the state government to encourage planting of trees to serve in prevention of flood.
According to him, forests prevent soil erosion by intercepting rain drops and covering it, to stem flows along the soil.
The Commissioner for Youths and Special Duties, Mr Mika Amanokha, said the state government had directed people living in flood-prone areas to vacate their homes to government dormitory in Edo-North for their safety.
“Another way government is controlling the flood is through the construction of drains, the storm water project and the evacuation of existing drains,’’ Amanokha said
Mr Wilson Brandon, of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in charge of Edo, Delta and Bayelsa, said NEMA was doing a lot to avert flood in the two states.
“We invite stakeholders to talk and enlighten the general public on their roles and responsibilities to prevent flood.
“The media practitioners are playing their role in educating and enlightening the people in this regard.
Mr Godson Alabo, lecturer, Department of Environment, Federal University Otuoke, stressed the need for the public to strictly adhere to environmental laws and support government policies on environment among others.
Mr Torukuru Adakien, Head of Administration of Bayelsa Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said
SEMA had been educating people on the implication of exposing the environment to flood, landslide and other natural or man-made disasters.
“There have been ongoing opening of drains since this year and a lot of them have been widened to ensure the free flow of water to directions.
In all, stakeholders have stressed the need for Nigerians to be conscious of protecting their environment to avert the consequences of otherwise.
They also called for increased government efforts at all levels in formulating policies and evolving programmes that will protect the country against man-made or natural disasters.
Reporters/ MO/DUA