Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD), a Kwara-based Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has urged the Kwara State Government on adequate disaster management mechanisms.
ENetSuD, said it has become highly necessary to join the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) and the Kwara State Government in the call for immediate relocation of residents of communities in Lafiagi, Patigi, Jebba, amongst others, who are along the banks of River Niger.
NiHSA listed Kwara, Niger, Kebbi, Kogi, Anambra, Delta and Bayelsa as states that should be on the watch out and advised them to make necessary preparations to relocate people within the floodplains to safe and higher grounds in the event of flooding. This call by NiHSA emanates from her observation that River Niger is still rising with likelihood of occurrence of River flooding.
In a statement signed by the CSO’s coordinator, Dr. Alagbonsi Abdullateef, ENetSuD appreciated the statement by government, which provides citizens with early warning system that is important in prevention of disaster events.
“However, we found the government’s statement as insufficient towards addressing the current issue. For instance, how the government will ensure strict compliance as she claimed was not disclosed in her statement: is it by enforcing the communities’ relocation or by facilitating it?
“There is no clear indication and plan on how the government wishes to relocate the people in those affected communities. It is too complacent of any responsible government to just give danger alert without discussing the future of such important communities and phenomenon.”
ENetSuD added that any imminent disaster may render some residents of Kwara homeless and jobless, which is against the agenda of current government that strongly advocates diversification of the economy from oil to agriculture.
“Furthermore, ENetSuD is of the opinion that River flooding and displacement of residents are supposed to have been a forgotten story in Kwara and Nigeria at large.”
The organisation recalled that about two months ago, flooding was witnessed in some parts of Ilorin, including Okekere, Oloje, Ode Adana, Okelele, Dada area, Aduralere, Alagbado, Amilegbe, Akerebiata, Kuntu-Oja road, Harmony estate and Mubo street, where thousands of people were displaced and property worth millions destroyed.
ENetSuD therefore charged the state government to hold a meeting with concerned communities and visit the sites for strong preparedness and contingency plans in the event of disaster.
It added that government should also make adequate arrangement and take full responsibility for the relocation of residents in the affected riverine communities.
The group also called on the government to promptly take steps towards the implementation of the state Master Plan for environmental management.
