The Christian Conscience group has called on the government to take adequate measures to mitigate the threat posed by flooding in the country while noting that its devastating effects cannot be over-emphasized,
The body gave the advice at the end of its monthly meeting in Lagos in a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Mrs Yetunde Akinluyi, and its national general secretary, Revd. Dr. Kolawole Verrals.
According to the group, tackling incidents of flooding requires concerted efforts by the various levels of government.
Old dams
The group noted that “the dams across the nation were built many years ago based on the then prevailing terrain and respective locations. Global climate change and the ever-increasing population have changed the narrative and this calls for an engineering solution for upgrade or construction of new dams.”
Citing the recent flooding in Maiduguri as a result of the collapse of the dam which brought unprecedented damage and agony to the people, the group calls on the government to take immediate steps to avoid a repeat of such an occurrence
It called on the government to take proactive measures in preventing flooding now that the rainy season has begun to set in to avoid loss of human life and damage to properties.
The Christian group said farmers are disadvantaged as flood washes away their farm produce.
The group warned that Nigeria may face a food shortage in the coming months because of flooding and insecurity affecting the farmers if something is not urgently done.
It then commiserated with the government and citizens of Maiduguri in Borno State on the disaster caused by flood in their domain while also praying for an end to the flooding and succour to those who suffered the loss of their loved ones and properties.