Ibadan flood disaster is a bad omen

“Deputy Senate President says the latest floods are a sign of worse to come. Meanwhile, President Jonathan will visit the beleagured city today.” 

The number and severity of flood-related tragedies across the nation in recent times is a clear indication that the nation’s environment system and management is ailing, the Deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, has said.

Ekweremadu, in a condolence letter to the Governor of Oyo State over the devastating floods in parts of Ibadan, stated that all is not well with the way Nigeria relates and manages its environment.

According to him, the frequency of this magnitude of flood disasters in Nigeria portends a dangerous future for the nation, environmentally.

On Friday last week, a devastating flood hit the ancient city and ravaged it, causing the loss of 102 lives and an as yet to be quantified value of property. The flood comes two months after a flood of similar magnitude hit nearby Lagos state. Floods in other parts of the country have also caused serious loss of life and damage to property.

“The increasing incidents of flood disasters in the country bring home the harsh realities of the dangers of climate change and environmental degradation,” Mr. Ekweremadu said.

He called for immediate and concerted efforts by all stakeholders to rise to the challenges of preserving the environment.

Ekweremadu urged state governments to respond urgently to the infrastructural demands of the nation’s crowded populations. He advised governments to adhere strictly to the principles of an ordered built environment such as town planning regulations, as well as robust environmental awareness campaign as ways of mitigating the rising excesses of nature and their impacts.

He said the Ibadan flood calamity qualified as a national disaster, given its social and economic tolls on the nation and the strategic place of the ancient city to the Nigeria’s national life. He therefore called on the Federal Government, international organisations, NGOs and public spirited individuals to support the Oyo State Government in its efforts to put the affected areas back on their feet.

The Deputy President of the Senate also commiserated with the Government and people of Oyo State over the flood disaster.

“I sincerely connect and grieve with you and the State over these sad events, and I send my heartfelt condolences, especially to all those who were bereaved or have been affected in one way or the other by the destructive floods,” he condoled.

Jonathan to visit Ibadan

President Goodluck Jonathan will visit Ibadan for an assessment of the flood hit areas of the city today. This was disclosed by the Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi.

“President Jonathan is coming for first hand information. He will visit some of the areas of the incident. He is also coming to commiserate with the people of Oyo State on the tragic incident, which by God’s grace, will never happen to us again,” the governor said through the state’s commissioner of information, Bosun Oladele.

The governor reiterated that illegal structures built along drainage channels in the city would be demolished starting from next week.

“We will soon publish those that will be affected by the exercise. We will also announce it on the radio and television. We want everybody to be close to their radio and television sets as well as read newspapers so as to know what to do before the demolition squad starts working.

“I assure that anyone that has violated the city’s master plan would be affected. It is better to prevent loss of live and property. Anyone who knows that he is affected should vacate the place before we come,” he said.

-By EMSARO PEDRO & FUNSO AJEWOLE

Source: DailyTimes