Despite warnings by the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET) about severe flooding this year, especially, in the South-south region, and with records of deaths already as a result of flooding, state governments in the region are ostensibly unperturbed as no major preparations are on ground against the impending flood, ANN GODWIN (Port Harcourt), TINA AGOSI TODO, SOLOMON AZU (Calabar), JULIUS OSAHON (Yenagoa) and MONDAY OSAYANDE (Asaba) report.

In a heartbreaking turn of events, the body of Elizabeth Awhobiwom Ukah, a 25-year-old nursing student, was recovered from a drainage channel along Palm Street in Calabar ? five days after she was swept away by flood during a heavy downpour on Good Friday.

Elizabeth, a student of the Federal College of Nursing Sciences, Calabar, had just left Holy Family Catholic Church in Big Qua Town after attending the Stations of the Cross.

The skies opened as she and other parishioners made their way home. As the rain intensified, streets in the city became flooded. On getting close to Eastern Secondary School, Elizabeth slipped into a gutter. Despite efforts to help, she was pulled under by the current. A search began immediately but ended in sorrow. Her body was found on Tuesday, April 22, in a drainage channel far from where she had drowned.

?She had a future. We can?t keep losing lives like this,? said a witness who helped in the search.

Also recently, about 200 persons lost their lives following flood disaster on May 28 in Mokwa, Niger State. Other flood victims including children, women were reportedly missing. The flood also displaced over 3,000 persons, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said.

The ravaging flood in Mokwa started as a normal rain but suddenly turned to heavy down pour ? thus, impelling a devastating flood without further signals. The floods swept off houses, destroyed businesses, farms and lives. Several bridges were also washed off.

Similarly, at Alibuoba Quarters in Agbor, Ika South Local Council of Delta State, a middle-aged woman was found dead inside a flooded gutter. Her lifeless body was found inside the gully measuring over 50 feet deep and 30 feet wide, decomposing along the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Road, beside Agbor Technical College. The body of the unidentified lady was later evacuated by task force.

Sadly, despite the disheartening narratives emerging from Niger State, the heartbreaking tales of Elizabeth and the young lady in Delta, which remain a grim reminder of neglects to environmental issues and predictions by the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMET) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) of severe flooding this year in states such as Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Edo, Delta, Kogi, among others, government in these states have not taken steps to mitigate the potential devastating flooding.

After the predictions in April this year, the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), urged governments at all levels to increase vigilance and implement measures to mitigate the potential impacts of high water levels in major waterways and rivers.

Expectedly, heavy flooding starts from July to October; but sadly, as at the time this report was filed on May 18, no significant steps have been taken by the states to mitigate the perennial flooding.

The NiMET predictions and lessons from Mokwa flood indicate need for early preparedness to mitigating floods but that appeared not to be on the priority lists of governments.

Some states that have started flood awareness campaigns like Niger and Delta State, allegedly waited until the floods occurred before such steps were taken.

In Rivers State, for instance, where President Bola Tinubu declared State of Emergency and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete lbas as the Sole Administrator in March 18, there is no plan, no programmes nor steps taken yet to address the flood problems.

The focus by most states in the region including Rivers is political alignments and re-alignments ahead of 2027 elections while governance suffers.

The Guardian gathered that prior to this time, flood committees made up of the State Executives including deputy governor, commissioners and some heads of boards and agencies were usually set up to map out strategies on tackling flood menace, but the Sole Administrator, who is apparently new in the state, has not considered such.

The water channels and gutters were still not disilted. There is no Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp or plans to providing palliatives.

Close monitoring showed that NEMA in the State just began flood awareness campaigns after the flood disaster in Mokwa occurred.

Findings by The Guardian showed that the rain is already soaking the grounds, and thus, making some crops to rotten, thereby, leading to panic harvest. For instance, farmers in Mbiama and Akinima communities in Ahoada West Local Council of Rivers State have started harvesting their farm produce to avoid losses. The paramount ruler of Mbiama, Otuevia Sylvanus, and the community leader of Akinima, Eniata Abiaba, lamented government?s ineptitude in spite of NIMET predictions.

Eniata, the community leader in Ahaoda West, said, ?we have specific time for heavy flood between August and October but till now, there?s no sign of what government is doing to mitigate the flood challenges.

?We condemn the usual approach by government on flood issues ? When flood comes, they rush and set up IDP camps, send few relief materials and divert the rest approvals meant for flood victims, this fraudulent act by government officials should be monitored and stopped,? he stated.

Speaking further, Eniata condemned the usual approach by government on flood issues saying, ?When flood comes, they rush and set up IDP camps, send few relief materials and divert the rest approvals meant for flood victims, this fraudulent act by government officials should be monitored and stopped.?

NEMA?s national spokesperson, Mr. Manzo Ezekiel, said, after the predictions were made by NiMET, governments and the residents were expected to adhere to the advice and information given by NiMET and proactively apply it in their preparedness for the flood.

?We don?t have to wait for the flood to happen like the Mokwa incidents before we plan on what to do. So as we have seen in Mokwa, it is possible that the predictions especially, the area that are said to be of low areas may become higher than the areas predicted as high probability areas ? Mokwa situation should be a timely lesson for all not just only Rivers State but every part of Nigeria,? said Ezekiel.

He added that the full extent of the disaster in Niger State is still under investigation.

Contacted, the Permanent Secretary and Director of Flood in Rivers State, Dr. Karibe Offe, acknowledged that the current political situation in Rivers State is affecting certain issues and decisions but assured that the matter would be taken up, adding ?government usually create awareness about flooding and set up flood committees.?

A lecturer in Agriculture Department, University of Port Harcourt, Dr. Samuel Nwokegam, warned on the implications of early harvest. His warning followed the ongoing early harvest by farmers owing to floodwaters.

The don said harvesting crops early has health implications, negative impacts on the economy but he explained that if it is a short-term crop, farmers can harvest and consume without harm.

He said, ?There are high rise areas, it is not everywhere crops are planted that flood can access, there are high rise areas, while flood is ravaging the low sides, the high areas can preserve the crops. So, government can make provisions by giving farmers access to high lands, so that before flood reach such areas, the plants must have been harvested.?

He called on government to make alternative provisions for farmers to avoid early harvest of their crops.

Apparently having seen the degree of flood disaster in Mokwa, NEMA in Rivers State have begun to visit Local Government Areas identified as high-risk, along with inspections of all Disaster Response Units (DRUs).

Head of Operations, NEMA?s Port Harcourt office, Mr. Eric Ebhodaghe, said the agency is working to ensure that all designated safe grounds in flood-prone communities are fully prepared to accommodate potential flood victims.

Ebhodaghe said the agency is strategically prepositioning relief materials in anticipation of possible emergencies, adding that the National Preparedness Response Campaign has also been officially launched.

He said, ?Both pre-disaster and post-disaster preparedness strategies have started, and he called on authorities to prioritize the desilting of waterways across the state.?

Already in Delta and Bayelsa, there?s anxiety and panic among those living in flood prone areas. Those living in the riverine areas like Burutu, Patani, Ozoro, Kwale, Oko, Agbor and other areas in Delta are gripped with apprehensions, following their yearly experience with the negative impact of flooding.

Already, about 20 houses are under the threat of possible collapse owing to the perennial flood challenges in the area. The houses were submerged by the recent floods.

The damage recorded so far in Agbor and other areas in the state has continued to send fears among residents. Within the period, motorcycles and motorbikes were swept away by several hours of torrential rain, even as people battled hard to navigate their way out of the flooded road at the axis of the Lagos-Asaba Expressway.

Lamenting the situation, a resident of Agbor, Kate Osahon, said the perennial flooding challenge it is a frightening phenomenon each time rain falls.

She recalled that about three years ago, two siblings, aged between 15 and 17 years, were swept away by the ravaging gully erosion in the area. She described the rain as a national disaster which government at all levels need to proactively tackle.

A landlord in Agbor, Chukwuyem Odia, said the only option to survive flooding is relocation to neighbouring towns ahead of time.

According to Odia, who said he had reached out to member representing Ika Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Victor Nwokolo, and his counterparts at the State House of Assembly, representing Ika South Constituency, Festus Chukwuyem Okoh, on the need to do what is expected, noted that he is yet to get feedbacks.

For Mr. Matthew Uchenna, residing in Oko, near Asaba, Delta State capital, one of the flood prone areas, government and other stakeholders seemed not to be concerned about the flood situation on ground, blaming political leaders who are more concerned about the 2027 elections.

?The politics of 2027 appears to have overshadowed other areas of governance. Otherwise, by now relevant government agencies would have been sensitising the public on the need to prepare for 2025 flood.

?To educate them on how to vacate their areas, because the rains are coming whether we like it or not, by June and July the rain will set in, and they should begin to prepare their minds.

?They shouldn?t wait until the dying minutes before doing something, and then the people will say they are not leaving anymore,? he said.

Reacting to the development, Delta State government said a proactive measures is on mitigating the impacts of flood to save the lives and property of Deltans living in flood prone areas.

Speaking to The Guardian on the issue, the Commissioner for Environment, Jamani Ejiro, said, ?We are not afraid of the flood. We are putting all our Arsenal in place for the safety of Deltans,? but one thing is clear government is always proactive when it comes to mitigation of flooding and the general sustainability of the environment.?

According to the commissioner ?preparation to control the flood started with the setting up of flood Management committee.?

The committee, headed by the Secretary to the State government (SSG), Kingsley Emu, is to give the people orientation, tell them how best to handle their environment, instead of waiting for government to do everything.

The state government has started opening of water ways, clearing up of drainages and all the blocked canals are opened across the state,? said Ejiro.

He also disclosed that IDP camps have been set up in Asaba, Patani, Ozoro, Kwale and Otu-Jeremi, to accommodate the people living in the flood prone areas in case they are overwhelmed. He claimed that the state is far ahead of time to tackle flooding.

Also, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Festus Ekpen Ahon, said, preparations have been made to reduce tension created in the minds of flood victims. He appealed to those living in flood prone areas to start thinking of relocating to elsewhere to avoid calamity.

For the Cross River State government, efforts are being made to desilt the gutters.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Moses Osogi, described flood incidents as preventable and reiterated the government?s intentions to address the challenges. He stressed the role of community behaviour in worsening flood risks, particularly illegal dumping of waste into drains.

?The flood is not just a government issue,? he said. ?It?s a shared responsibility.?

The Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Antigha Gill, added that the state is addressing flooding through infrastructure projects, drainage clearing, and public awareness campaigns.

He said the government is also working on erosion control in vulnerable areas and providing emergency relocation support to at-risk communities.

In Bayelsa, however, the government is yet to put out a plan of action.

Last week, residents of Obogoro community in Yenagoa Council woke up to heavy flooded streets after a severe rainfall and storm. Consequently, they have cried out to the State Governor, to rise up to their perennial struggles over floods.

Despite pleas for intervention, the government?s response has been perceived as inadequate, leaving residents feeling abandoned.

The community has issued a desperate appeal to the Bayelsa State government for immediate assistance to prevent their homeland from being displaced and submerged by floods.

Additionally, they have called on illegal dredgers to cease their activities, which are believed to contribute to the erosion.

An eyewitness, Pastor Godfrey Omuta, in a telephone interview, said, a heaven down pour recently caused a major landslide. Residents have started moving out again out fear. We don?t know which house next.

Recall that Obogoro has lost about 60 per cent of its land owing to erosion and the yearly flood, with homes and properties being swept into the river, resulting in significant displacement and loss of life.

The community?s plight highlights the urgent need for effective shoreline protection measures and a comprehensive strategy to address the environmental and socio-economic impacts of the flood and erosion in the region.

Sadly, the state government seems not be concerned by the flood alarms.

The persistent heavy rainfall has begun to disrupt both local communities and even urban communities.

While water levels is gradually increasing, several communities, including, parts of Yenagoa, the State capital, Oporoma, Amassoma, Biseni, Anibeze, Obogoro, and Akenpa have on their own began preparing for the ?flooding months? irrespective of government negligence. They have started harvesting their crops and relocating their belongings and valuables to safer neighbouring towns and communities. (The Guardian)

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