Experts from water sector yesterday converged on Ibadan, Oyo State capital to discuss solutions to floods presently ravaging some areas in the country.
Speaking during the maiden national Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), sustainability conference, the Chief Executive Officer, Male Integrated Limited, Mr Michael Ale noted that danger of flood is not limited to destructions of lives and properties but can also pollutes underground water therefore not making it safe for drinking.
According to him, Nigeria is basely affected by flooding and this is evident by recording of casualties saying it’s pertinent to note that, the basic infrastructures needed to curb seasonal flooding has been neglected over decades and the consequences is what we are experiencing now.
He said: “This has lead to lost of lives and properties through different means and contamination from our water bodies most importantly our groundwater.
“Almost 22 states out of 36 states of the country had witnessed one devastating issue relating to flooding but almost all the groundwater in Nigeria must have been affected” Ale revealed.
He added that the theme of the conference, “Achieving SDG’s Through Independent Evaluation And Mutual Accountability’ will proper solutions to the flood challenge the country is presently going through.
Ale also added that Katsina, Plateau, Ekiti and four other States have been selected to benefit from the World Bank’s $650 million long-term sustainability of water, sanitation and hygiene project in Nigeria, saying other states listed as beneficiaries of the project includes: Kaduna, Imo, Delta and Gombe States.
Ale, further noted that:”WASH is also about COVID-19, Flooding, health, sanitation, wellness, livelihood, food system, drought, hygiene, even Nation Building. WASH cut across every sector of our existence most importantly power. Imagine the great importance attached to WASH but is grossly neglected by Nigerians because of inadequate information to the populace.
“In the main time, Nigeria is basely affected by flooding and this is evident by recording of casualties, it is pertinent to note that, the basic infrastructures needed to curb seasonal flooding has been neglected over decades and the consequences is what we are experiencing now.”
“This has lead to loss of lives and properties through different means and contamination from our water bodies most importantly our groundwater.
Almost 22 states out of 36 states of the country had withness one devastating issue relating to flooding but almost all the groundwater in Nigeria must have been affected.”
He therefore, called for an urgent action by the authorities concerned that certain immediate and proactive actions are required beyond humanitarian and emergency responsiveness to the affected areas.
Speaking on why Oyo State was not included in the project, Ale said:”Oyo State excluded because there are procedures which have to be followed before you can be given that access to part of those that would benefit from the project. So if you do not have those institutional arrangements in place, then it is very difficult to be part of this beautiful gesture from the World Bank.”
