WARRI/Nigeria: Environmental rights advocate, Chief (Comrade) Mulade Sheriff, has called on governors of the Niger Delta states to immediately strengthen flood preparedness measures following renewed warnings by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) of increased flood risks during the peak of the rainy season.
The appeal comes as concerns grow over the impact seasonal flooding could have on vulnerable communities across the region, many of which have experienced repeated flood disasters in recent years.
In a statement issued on Monday, Mulade, who is the National Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), urged state governments to work closely with relevant federal agencies, emergency management organisations, local government councils and community leaders to reduce the potential impact of flooding.
He warned that failure to implement preventive measures before the peak of the rains could result in widespread destruction of homes, farmlands, public infrastructure and livelihoods across the Niger Delta.
Mulade noted that many communities affected by the devastating 2012 floods, as well as subsequent flood incidents, are yet to fully recover from the humanitarian and economic losses they suffered.
According to him, recurring flooding has continued to expose gaps in disaster preparedness and response, leaving many residents vulnerable each rainy season.
The environmental advocate also criticised what he described as the failure of successive governments to implement sustainable flood prevention and disaster management strategies, arguing that vulnerable communities remain exposed to avoidable environmental disasters.
He called on governors in the region to adopt coordinated flood mitigation measures, including the evacuation of residents in high-risk communities where necessary, desilting of drainage channels and waterways, strengthening emergency response systems, pre-positioning relief materials and medical support, and expanding public awareness campaigns on flood safety.
Mulade identified Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers among states that have historically recorded severe seasonal flooding, urging their governments to take proactive steps to safeguard lives and property before the rains intensify.
He said stronger collaboration among state governments, federal agencies and local communities would improve disaster preparedness and reduce the humanitarian impact of flooding.
The CEPEJ National Coordinator stressed that investing in preventive measures before disasters occur is more effective than responding after communities have been displaced.
NiMet had earlier warned of increased flood risks during the rainy season, cautioning that persistent and widespread rainfall could trigger flooding in several parts of the country as rainfall reaches its peak.
