By Bashir Aliyu
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called on Community Development Associations (CDAs) and landlords to clear their immediate drainages to prevent flooding as the rainy season begins. The agency also urged waste disposal agencies at the state and local government levels to expedite the clearing of dirt along drainage systems, river channels, and canals.
Mr. Kadiri Olanrewaju, NEMA’s Head of Operations in Ibadan, gave the advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday. He emphasized the need for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of heavy rains and avoid the loss of lives and property.
“We are at the onset of the rainy season, so CDAs and landlords’ associations need to announce in their various meetings and take appropriate actions to clear their drainages,” Olanrewaju said. “We must also try to avoid having structures on riverbeds, which can impede the free flow of water. Doing this will reduce the impact of heavy rains.”
He added that timely action is crucial to prevent unnecessary flooding. “It is better to use this period to do climate settings to avoid flooding and the loss of lives and property,” he stated.
Similarly, Mrs. Margaret Adebukola, National Coordinator of the Whole Planet Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), echoed the call for citizens to take responsibility for maintaining proper drainage systems in their environments. Adebukola, a climate activist, urged people living in floodplains to adhere to weather forecasts and precautionary measures from experts.
“Water has no regard for anyone and will always find its way. People living in floodplains should always remember that the plain is the home of water,” Adebukola said. “In case it has been forecast that there would be heavy rain, it is advisable that people in floodplain areas evacuate their houses for a while to save their lives. It is important to prioritize our lives over our property.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Adeyemi Ojo, an executive of a CDA in Oluyole Local Government Area of Ibadan, called for more public enlightenment on the importance of drainage clearing and the dangers of building on water paths. He urged the government, corporate bodies, and NGOs to sponsor jingles and sensitization programmes to educate the public.
“There is a need for effective law enforcement and sanctions against erecting structures on water paths to avert the loss of lives and property,” Ojo said. “Public enlightenment is key to ensuring that people understand the risks and take necessary actions.”
The warnings come as Nigeria braces for another rainy season, with experts predicting heavy rainfall in several parts of the country. Stakeholders have emphasized the importance of collective action to prevent a repeat of past flooding incidents, which have caused significant damage to property and claimed numerous lives.
By taking proactive steps such as clearing drainages, avoiding construction on riverbeds, and adhering to weather forecasts, communities can reduce the risk of flooding and protect lives and property during the rainy season.
