How States Are Managing  Flooding in Nigeria

Chuks Okocha in this report writes on how the various state governments are managing the devastating effects of flooding in the country

Nigeria’s governors have raised the stakes in the current flooding ravaging many flood-prone states

No doubt the flooding has caused more devastating and traumatic effects in states along the Rivers Benue and Niger, and so far have affected more than 610 000 people, damaged key basic infrastructure, and raised the risks of food insecurity and the spread of infectious diseases.

The floods have displaced more than 225 000 people, with 5001 deaths reported in several states and about 300,000 hectares of farmland affected

The most recent in Maiduguri, the capital of the country’s north-eastern Borno State, more than 230,000 people have been affected by floods after a major dam collapsed following intense rainfall. This has hampered access to health facilities, schools, and markets. In the Maiduguri axis, it affected more than 14 health facilities and led to acute diarrhoea, malaria, other water-borne and infectious diseases, malnutrition and other major health risks in the wake of the severe floods.

But in these states, the governors as expected have risen to the challenges. The most recent of such was the response by the Kogi State government.

The federal government led by President Bola Tinubu has not disappointed the affected states. There are lot of collaborations in terms of financial and logistical Supports

For instance, the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, authorised the formation of a Flood Disaster Response Team in response to warnings from regulatory agencies indicating that states along the Rivers Niger and Benue are at risk of flooding. The team, once officially inaugurated, would be responsible for coordinating the State Government’s Flood Response Strategies and implementing the State Action Plan on Flooding to minimise the impact of flooding on communities along the Rivers Niger and Benue.

Kogi State, situated at the confluence of these two major rivers, has experienced severe flooding in the past.

The State government’s decision to establish the Response Team aims to prevent losses and safeguard lives and property in flood-prone areas.

The Flood Disaster Response Team is led by the Deputy Governor of the State, Joel Salifu. Members of the team will include the State Auditor General, Commissioners of Health, Environment and Ecological Management, Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Works, Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, as well as Information and Communications.

In Benue State, between September 4th and 9th, 2024, the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), in collaboration with the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BENSEMA), identified 22 locations that were impacted by floods.

In the 22 local government areas (LGAs) of Benue State that were assessed, DTM identified 7,092 individuals in 1,089 households affected by the floods. The floods displaced many residents, while some remained in their affected communities. All the affected population were residents.

Twenty-three per cent (23%) of the affected houses are habitable but need repair, 13 per cent of the houses are partially damaged and two per cent of the houses are destroyed. In 45 per cent (45%) of the locations assessed, crop farming was among the primary sources of income.

Also, in a bid to tackle the impending effects of flood as the Republic of Cameroon is set to release water from Lagdo Dam, the Taraba State government announced the establishment of a flood control team across all the 168 wards of the state.

Governor Agbu Kefas, who announced this during a media interaction with journalists at Government House in Jalingo, recently, said the flood control team would also focus on emergency management and proactive measures to prevent future disasters in the state.

Kefas said, “Our state is facing significant challenges due to flooding, affecting the lives and livelihoods of many of our citizens. In response, we are committed to finding lasting solutions to these challenges, working closely with experts and communities to mitigate the impact of flooding on our people.

“As part of our broader economic empowerment and infrastructure development, the Taraba Development Master Plan 2023-2050, have laid out a comprehensive strategy for sustainable development.”

In Kwara State, the National Emergency Management Agency hinted the people of an imminent high and moderate flooding in five of the state’s local government areas as the rainy season sets.

The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, gave the warning in Ilorin during the 2024 Downscaling of Flood Early Warnings Systems at state levels.

She listed the Local Government Areas, which are under high and moderate flood risk areas to include Pategi, Edu, Kaiama, Asa and Baruten. The DG who was represented by the Director of Disaster Risk Reduction of NEMA, Mr. Daniel Obot, however, called on the Kwara Government to take proactive measures to mitigate flooding in the state.

In the Northwest, states such as Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi have commenced sensitisation of citizens on ways to prevent probable flooding disasters after the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet) predicted the early onset of rainfall.

These states across Nigeria suffered from the devastating impact of flooding that ravaged many communities including government properties.

The flooding also displaced millions of citizens and many were said to have lost their lives.

For instance, the Executive Director, Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said local leaders have been engaged to adopt preventive strategies before the commencement of the yearly rainfall.

Local governments of Ngaski, Yauri, Koko/Besse, Argungu, Dandi, Bagudo, Bunza, Augie, Shanga, and Zuru, were listed as areas predicted to experience flooding.

He explained that efforts are in place to empty drainages and other water channels, adding that council chairmen have been directed to encourage residents to plant trees during construction.

“We had meetings with the stakeholders in all the 21 local government areas to intimate the LGA chairmen about the implications of the 2023 annual flood outlook with regards to Kebbi.

“SEMA has put all the necessary measures before the onset of the rainy season and arrangements were made on auxiliary alternatives. “The state government plans to plant about one million trees, local government areas should also encourage policies that will ensure the compulsory planting and nursing of trees.

“At least three trees should be planted in every frontage of a house, especially in flood-prone areas,” he added.

The director urged the council chairmen to intensify sensitisation campaigns to enable residents to adopt proper environmental practices.

Director of Information at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development in Zamfara, Bashir Ahmad,

said the government was making efforts to enable early warning signs and also evacuate drainages and refuse in flood-prone areas. “We are collaborating with NiMet and relevant agencies on measures to prevent future occurrence of flooding in our communities,” he said.

“We held several meetings with NiMet in January where they briefed the ministry on climate forecast and areas with possible risk. We will continue to work together and give emphasis on weather updates by NiMet,” he added.

Commenting on the need for collaboration, Zonal Head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sokoto operation office, Aliyu Kafindangi, said the government has engaged stakeholders in three states.

Kafindangi, said the agency sent five letters to the government on the need to ensure early warning signs and emergency interventions during flood disasters.

He said the government did not respond to the letters and urged states and local governments to partner to improve the preparedness of communities on measures to avoid flooding.

“NEMA has always been concerned about the effects of floods in recent years which resulted in a quantum loss of lives and property with adverse socio-economic consequences,” he added.

“The agency has made it mandatory to sensitise major stakeholders, policymakers, and other humanitarian workers to the need to be proactive in preventing, mitigating, and responding to any disaster,” he added.

The Nigerian federal government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has mounted a multi-sectoral emergency response in collaboration with local health authorities in affected states, as well as WHO and other partners. The Ministry of Health has also activated emergency response call centres.

In Jigawa, authorities have converted public buildings and schools into shelters for the displaced and distributed food rations, blankets and mosquito nets.

Meanwhile, WHO had provided Jigawa with essential drugs and medical supplies, including rapid diagnostic kits for malaria and anti-malarial medication.