Foundation seeks sustainable response to flood management

An NGO, The Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF), has underscored the need for government at all levels to embark on decisive and sustainable response mechanism towards flood management across the country.

Dr Arome Salifu, Executive Director of the Foundation made the call at a news briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

Salifu said the flooding in many parts of the country, in recent times, led to several deaths, with millions displaced, livelihood destroyed, infrastructure and farms washed away.

He said it contributed to a total stagnation in the daily living routines of the people, including education, jobs and other socio-economic engagements.

Salifu urged that to mitigate the impact of flooding in the country, there was need for dredging of rivers to some feet lower to prevent the water from overflowing river banks at the slightest opportunity.

“Also, people in riverine areas should be educated on the dangers of building on flood prone areas. They should also be evacuated to places above sea level,” he said.

Salifu also urged that government should put in place adequate early warning and response system through better weather monitoring.

He added:”It should build institutional capacity to evacuate people and respond to such major emergencies on time.

“Government should also follow up duly on the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon as that was one of the major causes of the overflowing banks.

“It should equally make plans to locate and construct similar dam in Nigeria to regulate and manage the flood.

“It should take advantage of the agricultural, industrial and technological opportunities and advantages that could come with such landmark hydro infrastructure.”

According to him, the negative impact of climate change on the society and general well-being cannot be over emphasised.

Salifu said: “It had become the major threat to our present and future civilisation and survival.

“It is disheartening that communities across 33 out of the 36 states and FCT had been systematically cut off from each other because of the unfortunate flooding that took place between September and October.”

The AYGF attributed the flooding to heavy downpour and majorly the overflowing of River Banks due to the opening of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

He called on governments at all levels and other relevant stakeholders to join hands together to provide emergency humanitarian relief support services to flood victims across different IDPsc amps in the affected states.

While commiserating with the flood victims especially the bereaved, he said that the Foundation would continue to provide humanitarian support to the poor and the vulnerable in the country.

The Africa Youth Growth Foundation is an NGO set up for the sole purpose of contributing positive change in the economic and social status of the African Youth through effective programmes that delivers sustainable outcome.

By Jacinta Nwachukwu