- Safiu Kehinde
Sequel to the tragic Mokwa flood in Niger state which left over 200 dead and several displaced, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has called for proactive measures to averting future occurrence and containing disaster.
The NLC made the call while commiserating with victims of the flood in a statement issued on Friday by its Acting President, Audu Amba.
Expressing its grievances over the devastating flood disaster that tore through Mokwa town, wiping out an entire community, the Congress described it as a tragedy of monumental proportions.
The NLC, while admitting to the inevitable nature of flooding, charged the government to take proactive measures beyond advising people to relocate from the flood-prone areas that will minimize the impact of the flood in communities.
“Our hearts are heavy not only for the tragic losses but knowing full well that nothing significant may be done to avert another tragedy making Nigerians the most imperilled in the world even as God has been overtly kind to us (no volcanoes, no monsoons, no earth quakes etc).
“We dare say it is not enough to ask people to relocate to higher or safer grounds in light of comparative deficit of means of survival in those grounds.
“The government must be seen to be proactive in risk-mapping, especially in vulnerable communities as well as step up its reaction time.” The statement partly read.
The NLC stressed further that the frequency of flooding and other natural disasters reminds us of the seriousness of the climate change crisis, especially countries in global south.
It recounted the history of flooding in Nigeria which according to the statement, shows a predictable pattern of causation and impact.
“The 2012 flood, which was triggered by the release of water from the Lagdo Dam and exacerbated by spikes of flash rainfall, was described as the worst in Africa and the 4th worst in the world.
“When we thought we had seen the worst, the 2022 flood disaster went several notches higher in terms of devastation.
“Uncountable towns and communities were submerged in 34 out of 36 states in Nigeria, and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Verifiable sources estimated that 3.2 million persons were impacted, around 1.5 million people were displaced, 600 individuals lost their lives, and over 2,400 people sustained varying degrees of injuries.
‘The 2022 flood destroyed 300,000 homes and over 500,000 hectares of farmland, worsening the scourge of food insecurity in the country.
“In 2024, flooding in Nigeria killed more than 1,200 people, injured at least 2,712 others, and displaced 1.2 million. Between 1994 and 2014, flooding in Nigeria disrupted the lives of 11 million people, killed thousands and damaged assets worth over $17 billion.” It stated.
The NLC faulted Nigeria’s inability to learn from past mistakes.
These as highlighted in the statement include the poor management of water releases from dams such as Lagdo in Cameroon, the shabby maintenance of Nigerian dams, and a complacent drainage system.
With several environmental experts linking the Mokwa flood to the poor drainage infrastructure in the town, the NLC held that extra measures needs the be put in place to channel rainwater and occasional discharges from nearby dams into surrounding water bodies in order to minimise devastation to human lives, the built-up environment and properties.
“This requires conscious efforts by the government to build large storm drains, which must be properly covered to prevent siltation and refuse dumping by irresponsible persons.” The NLC stated.
While appreciating the quick intervention of the Federal and Niger State Governments, the congress highlighted future robust steps to be taken to ensure that such a disaster is prevented or mitigated.
“Those steps include periodic structural audit and maintenance of existing dams in the country, the building of catchment dams near big dams as Lagdo dam. For instance, the construction of the proposed twin catchment dams in Dasin village, Fufore, Adamawa State, must be lifted from the drawing table to the construction site.
“Governments at all levels should also improve on natural disaster risk forecasting, warning and evacuation processes.
“The Occupational Safety and Health procedures in public and private workplaces and business spaces must be improved to enable workers and citizens overcome relocation inertia before or after natural disasters strike.” The NLC stated.