Following the red alert issued by the Federal Government that 148 local government areas in 31 states fell within high flood risk areas during this year’s raining season, thousands of Nigerians have been thrown into serious panic mode.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev had during a press conference Abuja last week explained that the Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency released in April had made the prediction.
He listed the affected states as Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba and Yobe.
Utsev said Nigeria had already been experiencing flash/urban floods since May, resulting from high intensification of rainfall which has been prolonged, as well as poor and blocked drainage systems in many urban areas.
He noted that from the end of July, the country might start experiencing river flooding, which might be more devastating.
“Most of the buildings you see here are family houses and 70 percent of those who reside there are related one way or the other. The truth is that most of them don’t pay house rents because the houses belong to all of them”
The minister also warned that prolonged flooding incidents might escalate the cholera incidents currently ravaging some states.
The National Centre for Disease Control had last Wednesday said 63 people had died of cholera with 2,102 suspected cases.
Since April 10, some states and the FCT have experienced flooding resulting in casualties and huge damage to property.
Already, the alarm raised had started manifesting, spreading havoc and pain across the country.
Reacting to the downpour that grounded business and commercial activities in Lagos and Ogun States last week Wednesday, Utsev disclosed that no fewer than 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, had either experienced various degrees of flooding or recorded casualties as rains intensified.
The resulting flooding brought down a two-storey building in the Mushin area of Lagos and overwhelmed residents while pupils could not attend schools in parts of the state.
Also, a pupil was swept away by the flooding in the Ketu area of Lagos.
Providing a national update on flooding, Utsev said, “It should be noted that some states have started experiencing varying levels of flooding and its associated disasters as early as April this year.
“So far, more than 10 states of the federation and the FCT have experienced one degree of flooding or the other with several casualties recorded including displacement of people and loss of property.
“For example, the torrential downpour in the early hours of June 24, 2024, in the FCT resulted in flooding of Trade More Estate in Lugbe where two deaths were reported and several houses submerged.’’
He stated, “AMAC (Abuja Municipal Council), Kuje, Gwagwalada, Bwari, and Kwali LGAs (local government areas) have also been flooded. Other affected states and LGAs are Anambra (Onitsha North); Edo (Benin); Benue (Makurdi); Kwara (Oke-Ero, Moro); Lagos (Agege, Alimosho, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Ikeja, Eti-Osa); Ogun (Ijebu-Ode); Osun (Oriade); Nasarawa (Doma); Taraba (Takum, Sarduna); and Yobe.
“It is important to note that as rainfall increases both in frequency and intensity, particularly in the southern part of the country; this will increase the level of flooding and may worsen the ravaging cholera outbreak.”
Beleaguered inhabitants fear reptiles, snakes in flood-prone areas
Even as victims of the recent flood continue to count their losses, checks by The Point revealed that many Nigerians who live in flood-prone areas and river banks are yet to relocate from the danger zones.
Due to financial incapability, the fate of many affected residents hangs in the balance as they don’t have the means of relocating to safer havens.
Wednesday flooding triggered by the 10-hour rainfall claimed the life of a pupil identified as Joshua. Eyewitnesses revealed that the pupil drowned in the Ketu area of Lagos.
Roads were impassable at a popular estate in the Lekki Phase II area on Wednesday evening. Homes were left open and residents had fled as their havens had become uninhabitable.
Several residents were seen navigating the floodwaters, attempting to salvage their belongings.
In many cases, properties worth millions were damaged or destroyed, with cars, furniture, and electronics among the most common casualties.
In one compound, three cars which were parked outside a parking lot had been half-submerged.
An environmentalist, Mrs. Peace Tommy, said that the presence of reptiles, such as snakes, is common in flood-prone areas.
She said these reptiles sought refuge from the rising waters, creating additional hazards for the already beleaguered inhabitants.
It is no news that the Ikoyi, Lekki, Ajah areas are synonymous with affluence and wealth for many Lagosians.
Fine architecture and expensively-built homes are a regular sight. Gated estates and high security are also characteristic of the area. But once it rains, the place becomes an eyesore. Floodwater moves into homes and destroys the fine buildings which are often very expensive.
Wednesday’s episode of flooding is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern that has plagued these highbrow areas for years.
Despite the exorbitant property prices—where a single-room flat can command rents as high as N3.5 million or more—the frequency and severity of flooding have only increased. The root causes of this persistent problem are multifaceted, involving both natural and man-made factors.
One of the primary reasons for the recurrent flooding, experts have noted, is the construction of buildings on floodplains and inadequate drainage systems.
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, had, on several occasions in 2023 warned residents from building on drainage setbacks.
Several buildings which were built on these setbacks despite the government’s repeated warnings were brought down during a routine exercise in October 2023.
Also, environmentalists and town planners have noted that many properties in Lekki, Ikoyi, and Ajah are built on reclaimed land, which is naturally prone to flooding.
A resident in one of the homes in Lekki, Mrs. Adebola Akinwunmi, recounting her ordeal, said, “I woke up to find my living room submerged in water. Our home is a two storey building. The bedrooms are upstairs and the living room downstairs. I knew it was raining but I didn’t know it would breach my home’s defences and enter my living room.
“As I speak to you, nothing in that living room is salvageable. Everything is gone. Outside, it was as if the flood wanted to carry our cars away. My husband did not know what to do. Our mechanic said he had so much work to do and could not come in the flood. I won’t even let him because I know there are several reptiles in the area.
“My children are still scared. We simply locked the building and found our way to a calm hotel without the chaos. We’ll be here till it all blows over and we’ll then see how we can save the mess. I am sure there is nothing we can do, but we’ll work something out,” she said.
Another resident who is an executive of the Lekki Residents Association, who did not want to give his name, said he is beyond devastated.
“I knew the floods were coming so I prepared myself since January. I called a mason who came and did some reconstruction on the fence. He also did some form of reinforcement, so that, come what may, the floods would not enter my home.
“All those were nothing. As the rains poured, it was as though I was outside. The water in my house is almost at knee level. I wanted to get my staff to bail it out but then, we don’t know how safe the connections are. It could lead to electrocution. It is a very sad and confusing situation, I must say,” the man lamented.
Marketplaces were also abandoned as traders scrambled to save their goods from the rising waters. Schools and businesses were forced to close, and many commuters were stranded as major roads became impassable.
In Osun State, residents of flood-prone communities such as Osogbo, Ilobu, Erin-Osun among others are yet to relocate from their abodes despite warning of the looming flood disaster.
Previous flooding experiences in the state had left tales of sorrow, tears and blood on the people of the affected areas and their valuable belongings. In 2021 alone, no fewer than three people were killed in Osun State owing to flooding. The fence of the Osun State Government House collapsed while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.
Lagos issues 48-hour quit notice to property owners blocking drainage channel
The Lagos State Government has given a 48-hour vacation notice to squatters and owners of illegal structures along Gbagada-Bariga drainage channel.
The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a post on X.com on Sunday.
Wahab added that the channel has been blocked by squatters who live there and property owners who built structures that obstruct the flow of water, which also contributed to the flooding in the area.
His post read in part, “The drainage channel which defloods Bariga, Gbagada, Sholuyi downstream communities and environs, and discharges into System 1 has been taken over by squatters who have constituted nuisance and security risks to the estate, and property owners who deliberately built to obstruct free flow of water in the area.
“Shanties were erected along the length of the channel, and their activities blocked collectors that are supposed to carry storm water into the channel, which resulted in the flooding experienced during the week.”
He added that upon expiration of the notices served, operatives of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources will commence the removal of the contravening structures in order to deflood the area.
When The Point visited some of the most affected areas including Ibu-Amo, Oke-Arungbo, Oke-Ayepe, Powerline, Gbonmi, Oke-Baale, Obalende, Obate, Oke-Oniti Alekuwodo in Osogbo and Oke Awesin in Erin-Osun, many houses that had been targets of flood are still being occupied by people.
In multiple interviews with some of the residents, The Point leant that they had already resigned to fate following their claim that they don’t have alternative shelter.
An elderly who simply identified himself as Olaniran, while speaking at the Gbonmi area of Osogbo, said, “Most of the buildings you see here are family houses and 70 percent of those who reside there are related one way or the other. The truth is that most of them don’t pay house rents because the houses belong to all of them. So, they don’t have any other place to go. Even if they want to leave here, where is the money?”
“It is true that we in this area have been suffering from flooding for so many years now and it appears to have defiled solutions. We do warn people to desist from dumping refuse in water ways but most of them are recalcitrant. The flood affected us last year and the one before but we only squatted with neighbours for a few days after the incident, immediately the flood subsided, and we moved into our houses.
“But, if the government can provide alternative houses for us to stay in for the meantime that the predicted flooding will last, we will appreciate it,” he added.
Another resident, Mrs. Ajibade of Oke-Baale area of Osogbo, expressed worry over the state government’s failure to re-construct a narrow bridge that has been propelling flood disaster in the area despite several appeals.
“There is no need for us to run and leave our houses if the government has done the needful in this area. This culvert (pointing to a bridge that is already collapsing in the community) is too small and narrow to contain water whenever it rains torrentially and we have been begging the state government to assist us in reconstructing it and putting a bigger one but our appeals have been falling on the government’s deaf ears.
“We hope that the flood is not severe as they are foretelling it because we don’t have any other house to relocate to. Government should fix this bridge and there won’t be flooding in this area again,” she stated.
The Director-General of NIHSA, Clement Nze, had underscored the Federal Government’s advisory role, noting that enforcement and local action fell under the states’ jurisdiction.
He said the Federal Government would continue its efforts to construct buffer dams alongside the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, to mitigate flood risks.
To this end, some states listed in the NiMET prediction have been taking necessary steps to mitigate the impact of the looming disaster.
Notwithstanding the recent flood experience, the Lagos State government has assured residents to remain calm as it intensifies efforts to ensure safety of lives and property during the season.
A statement from the state Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and signed by the Director, Public Affairs of the ministry, Kunle Adeshina, highlighted the efforts being made by the state government to forestall flooding in the state.
According to the statement, the Ministry has embarked on an all-year-round drainage maintenance programme for effective and efficient flood control. This, it was learned, is in addition to an efficient and sustainable solid waste management system.
In addition to these, the state government is said to be working in synergy and partnership with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Authority to monitor rise in the water level due to rainfall from neighbouring Ogun, Oyo and Osun States and the release of water from dams and rivers flowing into the state.
Given past experience of disaster wrought by flooding, Anambra State communities along the banks of the River Niger and its tributaries are already apprehensive.
Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odimegwu, said the state government had already taken steps from last year towards preventing the predicted flooding by carrying out desilting projects across all parts of the state.
The flash flooding experienced a few days ago in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, which affected houses in Nikton road, Samphino and Kpansia could be the advance warning that residents of the state are in for a tough time if NiMET’s prediction is fulfilled.
Several communities in Bayelsa have always been at the receiving end of flooding with lives and property lost to the disaster.
The people would not forget in a hurry what befell them in 2012, which recurred with devastating consequences in 2022.
As it stands, residents are yet to see serious plans by the government to ensure the 2024 flooding does not make life unbearable for the people.
Cries by the people for the Bayelsa State government to dredge the Epie Creek so as to mitigate the effect of the flooding have not been answered.
The Director-General, Bayelsa State Flood Erosion Control Agency, Omusuo Wilson, pleaded helplessness when he recently asked about the plans of the government to tackle the 2024 flooding.
According to him, lack of funds is the major factor militating against the agency’s activities.
He had expressed hope that by the time Governor Douye Diri appointed commissioners, the agency would swing into action.
Unfortunately, Commissioners were sworn into office, but none was yet appointed for the Ministry of Environment which makes the matter worse as there is no supervising ministry to complement the work of the agency in tackling flooding in Bayelsa State.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the government had begun its preparation early enough with what he called hydraulic infrastructure upgrade, which include opening up of drainage channels, proper integration of the channels, removal of constrictions as well as waste management.
Oresanya said, “We have found that the majority of what is causing problems in Ogun State back then was waste. So, waste is being evacuated more often now in Ogun State. We now have less waste going inside the drainage.
“Then, information dissemination: We continue to disseminate information to our people so that they’ll know what they’re expecting and what they’ll do in those periods,” he said.
Delta approves committee to tackle impending flood
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved the setting up of a 20-member flood disaster management committee following an alert of impending flooding in parts of the state.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Kingsley Emu, said the Delta State Flood Disaster Management Committee terms of reference, are to propose appropriate measures for the prevention and management of flooding, address displacement of people and suggest ways for provision of relief materials to victims; and to advise the Governor on appropriate measures to be taken.
The SSG is to serve as chairman of the committee while the Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Ejiro Etacherure is the co-chairman.
According to the statement, some other members of the Flood Disaster Management Committee include the Commissioner for Environment, Ejiro Jamani, the Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme, the Commissioner for Primary Education, Kingsley Ashibuogwu, the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu.
Others are the Commissioner, Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services and Girl Child Development, Orode Uduaghan, the Commissioner for Information, Doctor Ifeanyi Osuoza, while the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Special Duties, Gregory Ejohwomu is the secretary of the committee.
In Ebonyi State, it was gathered that Ogbogbo-Ekebeligwe in Ishieke community of Ebonyi Local Government Area was recently flooded following a heavy downpour in the area.
“We have found that the majority of what is causing problems in Ogun State back then was waste. So, waste is being evacuated more often now in Ogun State. We now have less waste going inside the drainage”
The flood was said to have submerged the Ekebeligwe Bridge while farm crops worth millions of naira were destroyed.
The flooding, it was gathered, followed over one week of heavy rainfall in the area.
Victims lamented the loss of their farm crops such as yams, cassava, corn and rice.
They lamented that with the flooding, their investments on the farms had been lost and they would have to start all over again when the flood subsided and called for assistance from relevant government agencies.
Executive Secretary of Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency, Clement Ovuoba, visited the community to ascertain the level of damage caused by the flood.
He promised to make necessary reports aimed at attracting succour to the victims of flooding.
Speaking to journalists on the actions taken by the state government, Ovuoba noted that his agency had embarked on massive sensitization of residents, especially in flood prone areas.
He listed the four high risk local government areas as Izzi, Abakaliki, Ịkwọ and Afikpo.
“We have plans to go to the whole 23 LGAs, starting from the four high risk areas, to sensitise them. We are also sensitising them through the media. Our jingles are running on the broadcast stations in the state.
“We are advising them to take preventive actions where necessary and also to evacuate in some very high flood prone spots,” he said.
Ovuoba also noted that the state government had in partnership with the World Bank through the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Projects constructed canals round the city to check flooding.
He said this has led to the elimination of floods in the city. He however noted that the agency was working with the Environment Ministry to clear the canals of weed and other debris to prevent it from clogging.
He however warned residents not to dump refuse into the drainage systems as this can lead to flooding.
