From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Following the displacement of over 2.5 million people across the states and the rise of cholera cases, the Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF) said that the agencies of government responsible for the control of the flood should be held accountable.
Speaking to newsmen on the level of devastation as a result of the flooding, the Executive Director, AYGF, Dr Arome Salifu, stated that the total negligence in the whole matter is indicative of deep corruption in the government.
According to him, the government has overlooked the dredging of the Rivers Niger and Benue which would have mitigated the level of the devastation.
Salifu argued that if the Lagdo Dam was not opened, how come the level of devastation was more severe this year than that of last year’s devastation when the dam was opened.
“A responsible and responsive government should take a precautionary measure to prevent future flooding.
“It is disheartening that communities across 33 out of the 36 +1 states in Nigeria have been systematically cut off from each other because of the unfortunate flooding that took place in these states between September and October, 2022 as a result of a heavy downpour and majorly the overflowing of river banks as a result of opening of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. Over 160 communities in Kogi State, 300 communities in Bayelsa State submerged, a land space cannot be sited in most communities in Delta State. All of these have resulted in a number of deaths and the displacement of over 2.5 million people” he said
To this extent, he recommended that the government should follow up duly on the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon as that was one of the major causes of the overflowing banks and make plans to locate and construct similar dam in Nigeria to regulate and manage the flood while taking advantage of the agricultural, industrial and technological opportunities and advantages that could come with such landmark hydro infrastructure.
Also, the river should be dredged some more feet lower to prevent the water overflowing its banks at the slightest opportunity.
Furthermore, government should build and fortify good drainage systems in the affected states while urging the people to take responsibility for protecting their environment by maintaining the drainage channels and be informed that the drainage systems are not for refuse dumps or building of houses.