By Abdullahi Lukman
Environmental experts in Nigeria’s South-South region have stressed that proper urban planning and effective waste management are essential to preventing flooding, which continues to affect several communities in the area.
The experts, from Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states, made these comments in response to a survey examining strategies to mitigate flooding in flood-prone areas.
They emphasized that better town planning, public education on waste management, and an attitudinal shift in waste disposal practices are crucial for reducing flood risks in the region.
Dr. Joel Effiong, a Hydrological and Geographical Information Systems expert at the University of Calabar (Unical), noted that poor town planning exacerbates flooding in urban areas.
He explained that the widespread use of concrete surfaces in cities prevents rainwater from being absorbed into the ground, leading to increased runoff.
Effiong called on local governments to enforce regulations that ensure enough space for water infiltration to mitigate runoff and reduce flooding.
Professor Eze Bassey from the Department of Geography at the university highlighted the importance of regularly monitoring the state’s hydrograph, which could help provide better flood forecasts and warnings.
He also emphasized the need for communities to take responsibility for maintaining local drainage systems, urging residents to clear drains to ensure proper water flow.
In response to the flooding issues, the Commissioner for Environment in Cross River, Mr. Moses Osogi, announced that the state government has initiated a desilting project for urban drains and distributed waste receptacle bins in partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Osogi revealed that a special taskforce has been set up to tackle improper waste disposal, with violators being sent to a mobile court.
In Rivers State, Mr. Benson Abu, the National Publicity Secretary of the Waste Management Society of Nigeria (WAMASON), highlighted that poor waste management, particularly the disposal of plastic waste, accounts for over 60 percent of the flooding in Port Harcourt.
He emphasized the importance of proper waste disposal and recycling, calling on residents to avoid dumping refuse in drains and to ensure waterways remain free-flowing.
At the local government level, Mr. Atajit Francis, Sole Administrator of Andoni Local Government Area, stressed that improving sanitation is key to tackling flooding.
Francis shared that the local government would resume its compulsory monthly environmental sanitation exercise to clear drains and prevent blockages.
Environmental expert Mr. Kentebe Ebiaridor also pointed out that effective town planning could help mitigate flooding by ensuring that construction takes place away from flood-prone areas.
Ebiaridor called for better management of river basins and improved infrastructure to reduce surface runoff and flood risks.
In Akwa Ibom, town planner Akpabio Ufot-Akpabio criticized the continued reliance on outdated colonial-era planning laws, which he believes have contributed to poor construction practices and flooding.
He urged the government to update town planning regulations to prevent further flood damage.
Akwa Ibom’s Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, provided an update on the state’s efforts to combat flooding, including the construction of new drainage systems and the implementation of early warning systems in partnership with the federal government.
Lastly, Dr. Charles Effiong, an environmental expert, emphasized the role of community attitudes in flood prevention.
He pointed out that improper waste disposal, such as dumping trash into drains, is a major contributor to blockages and flooding.
Effiong called for greater public awareness campaigns to encourage responsible waste disposal and drainage maintenance.
Experts across the region agree that a combined effort involving improved town planning, waste management, and public education is necessary to address flooding in South-South Nigeria, ensuring a safer and more sustainable future for the affected communities.