The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) has said that quick action is needed to transform the country’s rivers from threats into strategic economic assets.
The group recently shared that floodplain mismanagement is the main reason why flooding is never-ending across Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview, the council’s Chairman, Dr Samson Opaluwah, spoke about the lingering inconvenience seasonal floods have been causing in riverine communities.
Samson extended his heartfelt condolences to victims, particularly those affected by the recent flood in Mokwa, Niger State, which led to the death of over 150 people.
He urged both the government and Nigerians to keep supporting compatriots in flood-related distress, stressing that floodplains must be managed better for disastrous flooding to be properly addressed.
“Floodplains’ mismanagement is responsible for flooding. We pray that God will comfort the families of the bereaved and provide succor and replacement for those who have lost essential items, real estate, and livelihoods,” he said.
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He further noted that Nigeria’s predictable rainy and harmattan seasons should be enough to spur the Federal Government to adopt yearly flood-prevention programmes.
Emphasising how the global impact of climate change is becoming a growing challenge, the chairman appealed to Nigeria’s Ministry of Environment and climate change agencies to be more proactive.
“Every nation prepares for the climatic situation that they find themselves in on an ongoing basis. Nigeria’s predictable rainy and harmattan seasons should compel federal, state, and local governments to adopt annual flood-prevention programmes.
The global impact of climate change is a growing challenge, urging Nigeria’s Ministry of Environment and climate change agencies to act with urgency. These organs should perform their roles in society to avoid these unpleasant occurrences. Our country has the professionals and the capacity to be proactive,” Samson said.
He concluded by reiterating that reactive measures will never be enough, stressing the need to focus on preventing rather than curing.
“They have to be supported, funded, and appropriately manned for them to be responsive. We should, however, focus on the preventive,” he added.
