Nigeria's Numerous Dams & Persistant Flooding
I have read in the dailies the various aggravated flood events causing damage to life and properties in Nigeria. Only this week there are new reports of the suffering which again was worsen by the consecutive release of water from the Oyam Dam by the Osun-Ogun River Basin Development Authority. A few weeks back it was the release of water by Hadejia-Jamaire River Basin Authority that led to flooding which affected over 986 persons and flooded over 2500 hectares.
I am some what concerned though that the government and staff of the basin authorities have down played the fact that there is need to investigate and clearly understand the immediate and remote cause of these flooding, they have continuous begged the issues and focus more on relief materials. Whilst I accept that immediate relief effort will reduce the suffering and prevent the spread of disease within the affected communities, I certainly think that someone has to ask the questions as to how and why this happpened? In this days of very robust weather forecast, could such a potential rise in the dam levels due to heavy rains not have been foreseen. And most importantly, what is the purpose of the so may dams been built with billions of tax payers money if we can not include flood control as part of the dam design?
I have noted the tendency of Nigerian to blame climate change but I know its the usual Nigerian thing, Hiding under the obvious. What is happening is the usual natural variation in climate pattern and countries make effort to forecast for these and also make preparation for eventualities. This is not so in Nigeria. I read that the Meteorological office predicted late rains and flash floods. There is also a talk about the ocean back flowing. It will be interesting if the claimants can provide flow data to prove this position.
Until, we review these key issues, we will continue to cause situations that will bring hardship, poverty, sickness and death to the poor because usually its the poor that pays for the failures of government. The competence of the management and capacity of staff of the River basin authorities is also questionable.
