Flooding, Earth Tremors and other Natural Disasters in Nigeria

Repost. Originally posted Oct 1 2018.

Neighbors Michael and Tinu where having a conversation, the topic was on the flooding taking place in Lekki, where residents had lost millions in valuables in a disaster that could easily be avoided. They lived on the outskirts of Lagos Mainland and were not directly affected by it. They had just heard news of the flooding and Michael was concerned the flood may reach further into the mainland. Tinu tried to reassure him that for all the times there had been flooding (which was every year), it had not once reached into the mainland so they were relatively safe; God was looking out for them. Reassured, he agreed that she was right that they were yet to experience any flooding and they both thanked Jesus and prayed for continued protection from such natural disaster.

This seems like an everyday conversation between two people in a community, who have ensured that their bases were covered and moved on with their lives without recourse to the fact that their fellow humans had lost property and were at risk losing their lives for the same issue they just thanked God for saving them from.

Lagos is a state right on the Atlantic Ocean, it is quite easy to see that certain areas are prone to flooding, especially reclaimed areas on the island, there has been property damage worth millions of naira, disruption of economic activity in Nigeria’s largest business hub and hundreds of people have lost their lives over the course of several years due to flooding. Yet year after year the response from those in authority, seems to be a “May it not happen again o, in Jesus name. Amen” right up until the next flooding occurs and catches us by surprise once again without a proactive action plan.

Group of Nigerian pushing a bus through a flooded area

         Recent reports of tremors in the federal capital territory, has gotten people really nervous and some considered leaving the city for a while just until things calm down as rumors of possible earthquake circled around the mill. Since all our geologists now work in banks and telecom companies, there is barely any expert opinion to give us professional information as to the true cause and possible extent of the tremors, what can be done to avoid or reduce future occurrence, survey of other part that might be prone to similar activity and possible action plan for the future.

Broad speculation once more rules the day with many citizens attributing to the work of spiritual powers punishing Nigeria. In an age where some other countries are taking the time to study and daily extend the frontiers of understanding of the causes (such as drilling and burning of fossil fuel) and possible interventions to manage loss due to natural disasters we continually carry the notion that this is the handwork of God and are once again reverently prying for Jesus and Allah to come and help us deal with the tremors.

There is barely any weather information on the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) website, there are no emergency services set in the face of flooding like the one in Lekki, to help citizens who find themselves in danger due to flood water. No functional warning service to alert people of possible natural disasters and how to keep safe and avoid areas of maximum damage. This passive attitude towards problem solving guarantees that we once again leave the lives and properties of our fellow citizens to chance.

Other than the rather lackadaisical recommendation from the director of NiMET, are there any decent Nigerians who can come up with good ideas on how to actually tackle these issues for better management and outcomes? Are we willing to give them the forum to implement their ideas, so we can start treating each other with compassion, care and dignity. I believe we can do better if we learn to work together for the safety of everyone in the country. As for the government, the godfathers and acolytes are locked in battle-royal fighting for their pockets whoever loses their life or property is just collateral damage.

(photo credit: Punch newspaper)