ABUJA/Nigeria: Comrade (Chief) Mulade Sheriff, human rights and environmental justice advocate has appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, considering the recent heavy rainfall and forecast from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to take immediate and proactive steps to mitigate the risk of flooding in Delta communities.
Comrade Mulade delivered this charge during a conference held on August 18th in Abuja. The conference, organized by leading environmental experts, aimed to confront the various environmental challenges stemming from flooding across Nigeria, with a particular emphasis on the Niger Delta region.
Distinguished environmental professionals from around the globe gathered at the event, contributing presentations centered on policies and methodologies for curtailing and managing floods in Nigeria. In his address, Comrade Sheriff Mulade underscored the critical role of federal and state governments, specifically highlighting the responsibility of Delta State’s leadership, to implement strategic measures that would effectively counter the impending flood threat.
Citing NEMA’s alarming prediction that nineteen states, including Delta, are at risk of flooding in August 2023, Comrade Mulade stressed that the potential consequences are dire. He expressed concern that as many as fifty-six communities, particularly those residing in low-lying and riverine areas of Delta State, could face submersion. Drawing on the earlier initiatives of CEPEJ, which engaged in community sensitization and flood-preparedness campaigns, Comrade Sheriff Mulade pressed for urgent and robust action.
Urging Delta State authorities to adopt a proactive stance, Comrade Mulade called for the immediate establishment of an expert committee comprised of both governmental and non-governmental environmental specialists. This committee would collaborate closely with government environmental agencies to swiftly construct flood-resistant Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, facilitate the relocation of vulnerable individuals and communities to higher ground, and provide essential relief supplies and medical assistance to affected victims.
Comrade Mulade commended the Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori-led Delta State Government for its efforts in mitigating the impending flood risk. Notably, the government’s measures have included the clearance of blocked drains and the unblocking of water channels across key cities in Delta State. He urged residents to heed governmental instructions and directives to ensure collective safety.
As the clock ticks toward the forecasted flood event, the spotlight is on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to act decisively and prioritize the safety and well-being of Delta State’s citizens. Comrade Mulade’s call for immediate action serves as a reminder that effective preparation can save lives and safeguard property, even in the face of such natural adversities.
