The Nigeria Institute of Water Engineers (NIWE) has called on the three tiers of government and citizens to adopt pragmatic measures to prevent flooding as it warns of potential severe flooding in September.

NIWE FCT chapter chairman Douglas Oloton stated this in his welcome address at the annual general meeting of the engineering conference and inauguration of 2022 to 2023 Exco on Tuesday in Abuja.

“Also, it is very important to know who to call during flooding storms, listen to local radio stations for information and buy flood insurance. Floods can be prevented if soil conditions improve, allowing for easier water absorption,” Mr Oloton stated. “During floods, flood barriers can be used as protections. It is expected that floods will be affected by climate change due to change in rainfall, temperature, sea level and river fluctuations.”

However, he admitted that “we cannot prevent natural causes like heavy rain caused by the bursting of clouds and the meeting of glaciers, but we can stop” the breaking of dams, proper drainage systems and infrastructure.

Mr Oloton added, “So in order to curb flooding in the FCT and parts of the country, the governments and its citizens are expected to get their hands on deck. Everyone has a role to play, from ensuring that town planners and officials do their jobs to ensuring that houses are built on the right landmarks.”

He stressed that drainage systems should be well built and waste must be disposed of properly, with citizens clearing canals and removing refuse, weeds and flotsam on water channels to avoid blockage.

NIWE national chairman Nnenna Igwegbe said there were sad moments in Abuja when estates suffered severe flooding.

“Example, EFAB Estate, Lokogoma down to Lugbe and just by Galadimawa roundabout, where people lost their lives some years back,” stated Mr Igwegbe. 

Clement Nze, the director-general of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, said not less than 232 local government areas in Nigeria, cutting across 32 states and the FCT, would suffer severe flooding in 2022.

“As we speak, not less than 150 local government areas are already falling under the flooding incident. Lives have been lost. We need to prepare. As a country, we are getting closer to the peak of flooding when the Rivers Niger and Benue will be coming down,” said Mr Nze.

He added, “River flooding is yet to set in. By the time we enter into the month of September, the flooding in the Republic of Chad, Niger and Cameroon will come down into Nigeria.”

(NAN)