Apparently disturbed by the ravaging effects of flooding in some parts of the country, the Association of Environmental Lawyers of Nigeria(AELN) has called on the Rivers State Government to take preemptive measures to prevent the impending flooding in the State and also mitigate its effects should it occur, by desilting the Ntawogba Creek and other water channels in the Port Harcourt metropolis.
The President General of the association and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law of Rivers State University, Prof Samuel Chisa Dike, who made the call in an interview in Port Harcourt, said desilting the Ntawogba Creek and other water channels in the State would serve as the first step to averting flooding in the State, as predicted by the Nigerian Metrological Agency(NiMET).
He further indicated that there is need for the state government and the Technical Committee on Flooding to visit and examine the existing water channels in Port Harcourt, leading up to the Ntawogba Creek, which he noted is now a household for waste disposal in the State.
He said the Ntawogba Creek can be expanded and desilted to ensure free flow of water, contending that taking such practical steps might not be enough to avert the impending flooding in the State but that it would be the first port of call in averting danger.
Dike also called on the state government to direct its attention to other major water channels along the roads, including gutters and drainages, while ensuring that government officials go round the State to identify and inspect such channels.
He said there is also the need for the government to engage and pay people to clean up gutters and drainages, particularly if it does not have enough labour force.
"There are several people out there who are ready to work. Government should pay such persons some money to clean up the gutters and drainages. Some of our school leavers are jobless.The government can engage them to work for one or two weeks, to clean up the gutters. Such people will be proud to clean their environment.It is a thng of pride to be part of environmental cleanliness," he said.
The university teacher also stressed the need for the authorities to equally identify gutters and drainages that are already blocked in the city and desilt them, while making sure that residents are dissuaded from blocking them, and decried a situation where environmental rules and regulations are never enforced in the State.
Dike, therefore, harped on the need for existing environmental laws in the State to be revived, reactivated and invoked to deter the citizens and corporate organisations from dumping and disposing wastes indiscriminately.
According to him, government must impose fines on companies and residents that discharge wastes indiscriminately in the State.
To avert flooding in the State as predicted by NiMET, Dike suggested that the government should evacuate people residing in flood-prone areas and communities as well as create settlement areas and muster points to accommodate those who might be displaced by flood.
"We must take preemptive measures and proactive steps.We don't have to wait for the flooding to happen. First and foremost, those living within the coastal areas, Bundu Waterfront and Abonnema Wharf should be ready to move.You don't have to wait for these things to happen.That is what happens in developed countries.People should be ready to move.Government should create settlement areas that are conducive enough, and make sure that enough spaces are provided.We should not be refugees in our own country. We know natural disasters are bound to happen but we should take proactive steps to mitigate their effects and impact," he said.
Dike advised the State Commissioner for Environment to immediately swing into action, by reactivating and adopting the existing environmental laws of the State, and ensure that stiff punishments are meted out to defaulters, saying, "the environmental laws of the State must be invoked and applied."
As a way of further checking flooding in the State, the lecturer advocated aggressive tree planting in order to restore the Garden City status of Port Harcourt.
He said, "the State has lost its Garden City status. People should paint their buildings and landlords must keep their properties. They should paint the houses and make sure there are gutters. Government on its part must provide waste bins along major streets. We must see how we can aggressively restore the lost glory of Rivers State. This will require concerted efforts."
The university teacher said giving Port Harcourt an aesthetic facelift has become necessary because, according to him, Rivers State would be hosting an international conference in 2025, which would attract visitors to the State.
"Those coming to the State for the conference should not see Port Harcourt as a ghetto.We must do something to sensitise landlords.Politics without governance is zero.Government is doing well in different areas.This is the other area we want the government to do better. Let's think outside the box. People want to see Rivers State looking better.We are an oil and gas producing State. Lagos State is not. Some of our IGR and allocations should be applied for environmental development and sustainability," he said.
Dike reiterated that practical steps must be taken by the state government to mitigate the impact of flooding, saying, "Flooding is threatening and when you say something is threatening, there is apprehension.You can see that flooding has done so much havoc in Borno State and other Northern States.It has done havoc to farmers and families.In Rivers State, we should not wait for the havoc to be experienced on our property and infrastructure before we take preemptive measures.That is why my association is calling on the government, the private sector, the citizens and residents to join hands to ensure that we prevent the impending havoc," he said.
According to him, since Rivers State is a coastal State, which is surrounded by water creeks, bushes and the Atlantic Ocean as well as network of roads, should there be any incident of flooding, the State may face incalculable harm and damage.
"We are raising this alarm because it is good we take preemptive measures.It calls for serious concern for all of us.We must adhere to safety guidelines as required by NiMET and people living in flood-prone environment," he said.
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