No sign of flood early warning system in states

… We’ve installed six – Agency

At the 10th Council of Environment meeting held on the 18th of August, 2016 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, the council deliberated on various issues on the environment such as climate change, land degradation, deforestation, poor solid waste management, sanitation and environmental governance.

The meeting with the theme, “Environment and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria – Empowering People, Taking Climate Action and Protecting the Environment”, was chaired by the former minister of environment Amina Mohammed and had in attendance all stakeholders in the sector, including the 36 state Commissioners for Environment.

The council, having noted the huge economic losses from flood, decided to adopt a proactive preventive approach to manage flood, thus, approved the installation of automated web based floods early warning equipment in flood prone communities nationwide, where there is none.

Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) is an integrated package of data collection and transmission equipment, forecasting models, response plans and procedures that are to empower individuals and communities threatened by flood hazard to act in sufficient time and in an appropriate manner to reduce the possibility of personal injury, loss of life and damage to property and the environment.

However, the rainy season now in force, some states have started experiencing flood and already counting their lost.

Daily Trust check reveals that there is no sign of installation of the automated web based floods early warning equipment in most states but Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), the agency responsible for the installation said six out of 10 have been installed.

Our reporter’s check in Katsina reveals that there is no installation of the agreed Flood Early Warning System as directed by the Council and that most officers spoken to in the ministry did not even know what it’s all about. 

However, a vulnerability and assessment test conducted by the State Emergency Management Agency is being adopted to address flood and other related issues. 

From the assessment, no fewer than 10 local governments are prone to flood as indicated over years of experience. They include, Daura, Malumfashi, Funtua, Bakori, Katsina, Jibia, Musawa, Matazu, Baure amongst others.

Speaking against this background, the SEMA boss Dr. Aminu Waziri said massive sensitization on building and farming on waterways is being carried out noting that most of the ongoing ecological projects will assist greatly.

In Sokoto, the early warning system has not been installed despite being one of the states that has been experiencing flood disasters in the country.

The state recorded its worst disaster in 2010, which led to the death of many people and animals as well as destroyed several properties.

When our reporter contacted the State Inspector of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, Malami Minister he said they are yet to receive the equipment for installation and that they sent their report directly to the headquarters.

“We send our report directly to the headquarters when there is thunder, wind or rain storm because the equipment is not available,” he said.

In Kogi, findings by our correspondent indicated that no such warning equipment has been installed anywhere, even the flood prone communities in the state.

Residents of Adankolo and Gadumo, some of the flood prone communities in Lokoja, the state capital told Daily Trust that such equipment were yet to be installed in their areas.

When contacted, the state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya confirmed that the equipment were yet to be installed, explaining that the Federal Government that made commitment in that regard at the last council meeting was to take any step in that regard.

“The then minister of environment made a commitment that the Federal Government was going to do that. It was supposed to be part of the 2017 budget of the Federal Government but nothing like that is in the budget. On the part of the state, we are trying to engage the council on that but they are yet to communicate to us officially what they would do,” she said. 

In Kaduna, it is also the same, no installation of the warning system.   

According to the Director of Environment in the Kaduna State Ministry of Environment, Ahmed A. Salihu, the state has not received the automated web based floods early warning equipment from the Federal Government as recommended in the last Council Environment meeting. 

He said the equipment are to be given to states by the FG to enable them record the weather forecast and flood chances in various states; noting that the equipment gives the readings, reflection of likelihood of where flood may occur and how to control it in terms of mitigation.

“In the state, we were able to get approval for construction of a weather station. Once it is completed, we will be able to monitor the weather forecast vis a vis the flood indices in the state,” he said.

For Lagos State, there is no sign of the system either and efforts to speak to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, who attended the meeting in Lafia failed. 

For several weeks, Daily Trust correspondent who repeatedly visited the ministry could not meet the Permanent Secretary to know what has so far been the state’s progress in installing the early warning equipment in flood prone communities.

However, Public Affairs officers in the ministry, Mukaila Sanusi said while they have little knowledge about the existence or otherwise of the automated web based flood warning equipment, they were nonetheless aware of the state government’s efforts in sensitizing the people about the danger of engaging acts capable of aggravating incidences of flood.

While in Benue State, our reporter though  failed to see any of the systems in place but the Director of Environment in the State Ministry of Water Resources and Environment, Mr. Adzaagee Tarhemba Richard, said the process has commenced in the state by the Federal Government and that the project located at Awe Street in Angwan Jukun suburb of Makurdi metropolis was not finished.

Richard disclosed that though the ministry was aware of the project, the contractors who were hired by the Federal Government never liaised with them and neither was the project, which was almost at its finishing stage completed and handed over to the state environment ministry.

In Anambra State, there is also no warning system anywhere but only the ongoing effort on a de-silting exercise in major cities across the state to rid drainages of refuses that constitute blockages to the free flow of water, as stated by the Ministry of Environment, Beautification and Ecology.

When contacted, the Federal Ministry of Environment refered Daily Trust to NEWMAP, the agency in charge of the installation. 

The Communication and Community Mobilization Specialist of NEWMAP, Dr Adebayo Thomas told Daily Trust that the installation of the early warning system is ongoing and that six out of 10 have been installed.

Dr Thomas said NEWMAP, at the NCE meeting, agreed to assist the Federal Ministry of Environment to install 10 of the equipment, two in each of the five River Basins Development Authority formations in the country. 

He said they were to be installed in Sokoto Rima River Basin, which comprises of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara, Upper Benue Basin that covers Adamawa and Taraba, Anambra Imo River Basin, Cross River Basin that covers Cross River and Akwa Ibom and Niger Delta River Basin that covers River and Delta states.

According to him, the completed installed system were in Cross River Basin and located at Ufut community, Biase LGA, River State and National Maritime Academy in Akwa Ibom State, Upper Benue Basin, located at Kunini village and Batanje in Taraba State, Sokoto Rima River located at Argungu community in Kebbi State and Wamakko in Sokoto State.

While that of Niger Delta River Basin and Anambra Imo River Basin are about to start as work are ongoing in other areas.

He explained that for the system to be installed there must be building to accommodate it and that is what is delaying the process of installation.

On why states are not aware of the installation, he said there will be a sensitization at the end to enable effective use and communication with the communities.

The systems, which will be able to detect when there is an impending danger, according to him will be monitored from Federal Ministry of Environment in Abuja and send out information to communities when necessary.