Floods have displaced over 100,000 people across Nigeria while another 500,000 people have so far been affected, according to the National Emergency Management Agency.
Thousands of hectares of farmland have also been destroyed by flood, escalating concerns about the country’s food supply.
Every year, flooding occurs in Nigeria, frequently as a result of lack of infrastructure investment and disregard for environmental regulations.
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Authorities are attributing this year’s floods to unusual rainfall and water overflowing from nearby rivers.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency predicted more floods in 2022 than last year due to “excessive rainfalls and contributions from external flows” such as the dam in Cameroon.
Director of Programmes, CAPPA, Philip Jakpor while featuring on TVC breakfast show on Monday, called for the early raising and construction of buffer dams to cushion the effect ahead of 2023 in response to reports by the IPCC that said flooding incidences were going to increase.
“I believe we should begin or step up our advocacy for our government to start building buffer dams.
“These aren’t large dams. Big dams are not recommended these days because when they fail, the disaster is exacerbated. That’s what was suggested when the Lagos was required.
“Since Nigeria is in the low line plains, we should build buffer dams, to accumulate the water so that the effect is not going to be so much on communities that are by the Niger River.
Mr. Jakpor stated that the current flooding situation could have been better managed if proper infrastructure had been put in place by both the state and federal governments.
Speaking on the health implications, Mr Jakpor said there will be a lot health related issues.
“By the time the water recedes, we are going to have a lot of health-related problems relating to the type of water people will be drinking.
“Flood waters have already contaminated the wells and boreholes. When this is done, that’s when it really starts.
Mr Jakpor added that the country will experience more building collapse as foundations of most houses are already eroded and water borne diseases will follow suit.
Speaking about the Presidential committee on flooding established in 2012, Mr. Jakpor pointed out that the committee has not properly accounted for funds allocated for the disaster.
“We are asking questions, and we must speak as Nigerians because this is a Nigerian problem,” he said.
“The problem cannot be left in the hands of a select few. Only raising the alarm will do.
He noted that the relevant agency tasked with investigating what happened to the funds should take up the responsibility.
Floods in Jigawa state’s northwest have killed several people and forced many households to relocate.
Numerous families have been forced to flee their homes as a result of the recent flooding in Delta State.
Concerns have been raised that the floods could further disrupt the nation’s food supply, which has already been hampered by armed conflict in the north-west and center of the country due to the destruction of crops, mostly in the northern region, which produces most of the nation’s food.
