FLOODS are the most common and widespread natural severe weather event that occurs annually with devastating consequences in terms of loss of lives and valuable property in Nigeria. The impact becomes more severe where adequate proactive preventive and ameliorative actions are not put in place to combat it. Therefore, early in the year 2021 and in line with their mandates, the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet), the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NHSA), and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) predicted and informed Nigerians about vagaries of climate and the likely occurrence of heavy flooding in some parts of the country including Ondo.
THE floods projections released by these agencies indicated varying severity across parts of the country. The import of their prediction is that the citizens and government at all levels should make efforts to combat the risks of floods. Ondo state, like several other states in the country, has experienced flooding in the past years with serious consequences in the destruction of lives and property and has been identified as flash points of flooding this year.
IN response to the early warning signals rolled out by the agencies concerned, the Ondo State government immediately introduced proactive measures and actions to combat the anticipated heavy flooding that has been predicted for the state to prevent disasters and pains that usually accompany such occurrences. This was hinged on the understanding that the consequences of heavy down pour in a coastal state and in situation where the citizens rarely take advice seriously, the state must act fast and decisively too. Thus, against the above background the Ondo state government at the approach of the current raining season and armed with the fearful prediction and warning about the likely floods went into commendable and pragmatic actions to forestall the occurrence of flooding and when it occurs to mitigate its consequences on the landscape of the state.
SOME of the proactive measures put in place by the state government to averting debilitating and destructive effect of floods in the state include devising Ondo NEWMAP that identified flooding and gully sites, engineering design of the selected 24 sites across the state, GIS mapping of the selected sites, Ayetoro sea incursion emergency intervention project and procurement of more amphibious excavators, low Bed Trucks and WWD among others measures.
IN addition, elaborate desilting of drainages and comprehensive channelization of water ways that have been the harbinger and promoter of flooding were carried out to make for free and rapid flow of storm water during heavy down pour as being currently experienced. The very expensive excavators purchased were deployed and were seen clearing the waterways in Akure and other major towns in the state. This has gone a long way in reducing the impacts of flooding and its consequences in recent days
THE Hope lauds these combative activities of the state government in forestalling what would have resulted in great disaster. Also, this depicts how a responsible and responsive government should act and not to wait for occurrence of disasters before rushing in to carry out ameliorative programmes and actions.
BEYOND government commendable actions in forestalling emergencies usually associated with flooding, the citizens have their own role to play. They should be responsible by preventing indiscriminate dumping of refuse on water courses as well as obey planning regulations that forbid building on waterways and drainage channels.
OF significance is that proactive measures to ward off disasters should not be left to the state government alone. The local governments in the state, being the closest to the people should be alive to their responsibilities in proper disposal of wastes and clearing of water ways to clear blocked channels. We admonish them not to wait for the State government all the times to attend to issues of importance like flooding. The government should continue to be on its toes to ensure that floods do not take over the state by taking concrete steps and actions to combat the menace of flooding in all parts of the state.
THERE should be synergy between all stakeholders and government at all levels at addressing the problems of flooding in the state. A situation where the state government is the only one active is not good enough. The local governments should be awakened to their responsibility of protecting the environment and be empowered to follow the good example of the state government in terms of effective wastes disposal as well as in clearing blocked drainage channels and water ways.
IN addition, the local government should be mandated to create dedicated account for ecological issues that can be utilized to combat flooding and other environmental related problems.
