Counting the Colossal Losses of the Devastating Flood in Nigeria
As the flood waters begin to recede, Solomon Olali-Igabo, a Yenagoa-based public affair analysts writes on Counting the Colossal Losses of the Devastating Flood in Nigeria.
Nigeria, the giant and most Populous Nation in Africa was thrown in dilemma and confusion over the recent devastating flood that lasted for weeks or months. In fact it was the worst in the history of Nigeria as compared to the 2012 and other preceding years.
The National Emergency Agency (NEMA) and Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) however predicted the calamity or disaster but the governments of the day lacks the responsibility to tackle it and allowed it to happen like a suicide bomb. This is most unfortunate.
While Nigerians are still grappling with the deadly coronavirus pandemic alias Covid-19 spanning two-three years interval then came the terrific flooding that surpassed other previous ones resulting to losses of lives and properties worth billions of Naira.
Be that as it may, governments of the affected states and Federal Government was not sensitive enough to the warning and its lackluster attitude is the reason for the magnitude of losses that played out. This is condemnable and unacceptable.
In every calamity or instigated war there are some set of people who feed fat or take advantage of the situation and line their pockets at the expense of the citizenry.
A cursory look at the losses incurred by the flood include destruction of houses, farmlands, fish ponds, livestock, industries, domestic and household materials, private and critical government infrastructures like roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, markets, religious institutions (churches and mosques) as well as lives among others shattered or ruined by the ravaging flood. Government became helpless and grounded by the flood.
However, the Holy Scripture says it is only the living that can praise God Almighty because the dead has no mouth to praise Him. In every situation we say thank you Lord!.
In the book of Genesis Chapter 7:5 “And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him” and verse 23 “And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man and cattle and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark”.
Scripturally, Noah was very sensitive to God’s warning hence he built an ark” that saved his generation of a flood that lasted for an hundred and fifty days on the earth.
Instructively, Government should think beyond setting up of Task Force on Flood and sending out relief materials to targeted flood victims but be proactive and decisive in the manner and way of handling or managing the flood funds from Government and Good Spirited organizations or individuals.
Special attention should be accorded to the Health implication and high cost of living that are telling on the people and how to curtail it should be the concern to those in corridors of power.
Naturally, God has given man the ability to conquer and dominate the earth and makes it habitable to live in. Until leaders think like God, they are helpless.
Here in Bayelsa State the magnitude of the devastating perennial flooding was enormous and terrific which would have been minimized if government was sensitive to its early warning from NEMA and NIMET. Most importantly is that as a people we should be optimistic and have the ‘will power’ to conquer our terrain and make it a good place to live in. The terrain is not the problem but finding the solution to the problem is where the issue lies.
Sadly, in some communities some persons who are not affected by the flood hijacked relief materials meant for the victims while there are still many of the flood victims who could not access any of the government palliatives due to political undertone.
Regrettably, government in power spent so much money for political campaigns and publicity but never bothered to plan and prepare for the impending flood that ruined almost the length and breadth of Nigeria. What then is the fate of people in the coming years ahead with government lackluster approach?
Investigation also revealed that some Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps are taken over by people who ordinarily are not affected by the flood. Besides, the existing IDP camps in Bayelsa State are grossly inadequate.
For instance, Ibou Community in Nembe LGA was the most impacted or affected where the entire land is in water and the people use canoe to pull round for safety as most of their houses are built with moud and thatches. It is a pathetic situation.
His Royal Highness, Chief Ipogolanyo Daw Opu- The third, however lamented over the level of devastation and called on the state and federal governments to come to the aid of the community in order to ameliorate the sufferings of the victims.
It is my fervent prayers that such disaster or calamity should not repeat itself again! To be forewarned is to be forearmed!
Counting the Colossal Losses of the Devastating Flood in Nigeria is written by Solomon Olali-Igabo, a public commentator and analyst.
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