In 2024, Nigeria witnessed major disasters following devastating floods that hit several states in the country. The Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) is blaming local governments for failing to heed warnings issued since April of the same year. This negligence has led to a tragic situation of loss of life and destruction of property.
The latest state to be affected by the disastrous floods is Kebbi, where the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed, has reported the loss of at least 30 lives. Over 850,000 hectares of rice fields and other crops have been destroyed, while 326 houses have been washed away.
Before that, other states like Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Taraba, Niger, Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Bauchi and Zamfara had also been badly hit by floods, causing loss of lives, destruction of crops and property.
NIHSA had however released its annual flood risk report in April, indicating that these states would be seriously impacted and urging them to take preventive measures. The agency’s Director General, Umar Mohammed, stressed that their role is limited to issuing alerts, informing local authorities and the population of the risks involved.
He stressed that local governments are responsible for putting in place measures to protect their citizens, including moving them from flood-prone areas and clearing blocked waterways. He stressed the importance of avoiding building on flood plains and blocking waterways, practices that endanger the lives of citizens.
On the release of water from Lagdo Dam, the NIHSA DG clarified that a specific quantity is released in a planned manner to control water levels.
Ultimately, the flood situation in Nigeria underscores not only the urgency of taking preventive measures but also the need for collective and coordinated action by local and national governments to protect citizens and prevent such disasters in the future.