…We’re battle ready —ODSG
By Samuel Edu
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Experts have predicted that recent floodings experienced across states, particularly in Ondo may be child’s play compared to heavier downpour expected in the months ahead.
Meteorology experts dropped the prediction in separate interviews with The Hope, following Saturday’s flooding, second in few weeks that ravaged many towns and cities in Ondo state, including the State capital, Akure, which rendered many homeless.
However, the State Government said it is battle ready to combat the impending floodings, saying it has approved the constitution of high level committee to look at action plan on climate change.
Commissioner for Environment, Mr Sunday Akinwalire said flooding will be reduced to the barest minimum in the State, noting that the menace had attracted World Bank attention and that channelization is ongoing at strategic locations.
Akinwalire said rivers that are causing flooding in the state have attracted World Bank’s attention.
“To tame flooding, the following rivers in Akure; Ala/Ayedun axis, Ilado axis, FUTA North gate area, Ire-Akari II along Ijare road and Irese axis would come under the attention of the global bank.
These rivers, he noted, are placed for World Bank intervention under counterpart funding and the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has paid the sum of N500 million of the counterpart funding.
According to him, work is expected to commence in few weeks, describing the channelisation carried out by the State Government at the weekend as an emergency intervention.
Akinwalire who said that the state scaled through the 2022 prediction of NIMET through adequate preparation, stated that the state three escavators are in operations in the state’s three senatorial districts.
The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) had equally predicted heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and heavy flooding in its weather forecast for 2023.
Experts who spoke with The Hope included: Prof Okogbue Emmanuel, Prof Balogun Ahmed, Dr. Adefisan Elijah, and Dr. Akinbobola Ademola all from the Department of Metrology and Climate Science, Federal University of Technology, FUTA, Akure.
Prof Okogbue Emmanuel predicted more floodings this year, saying government has not been proactive and always adopting the fire brigade approach.
“The drainages and water channels are not working. Water must flow and if you do not provide a path for it, it will find its path.
“There are two things in climate change; adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation is to cope with the effect that will result from those flooding while mitigation is minimizing the effect and ensuring it is not up to the magnitude predicted.
“We do not have to wait till when the rains have started before we start clearing the drainage system as being done presently by the Nigerian government.”
Prof Balogun Ahmed said lack of drainage systems are the major cause of flooding, expressing worries that more floods will still be witnessed if the government remains lackadaisical.
“There is what we call a return period in the field of hydrology and hydro-meteorology. This means that you may not see another flood until another 10 years.
“There is a one-year flood, there is a two-year flood, there is a 10-year return period flood, there is even a 100-year return period flood which is not related to climate change.
“Yes, the climate has changed, and temperature and rainfall have been affected but the worse of the case is man-made problem and our poor database system.
“We may not have any hope in sight if the government fails to wake up to its responsibilities. The drainages must be cleared and government must discourage building on water channels.”
Dr. Adefisan Elijah said; “The National Emergency Management Agency should as well be aware of their responsibilities.”
Dr. Akinbobola Ademola stressed that “During flooding, there is the tendency to contact water-borne diseases such as typhoid. This implies that the government must be prepared for the outbreak of this disease and better equip the hospitals.”
Briefing journalists after the State Executive meeting, Special Adviser on Environment, Oyeniyi Oseni disclosed that government has deployed equipments to clear flood prone areas in the State.
He also said, council has approved the construction of flood channels, drainage system and improved drainage network that will help to end the perennial flooding and erosion in the State.”
