The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria has called for urgent action to transform Nigeria’s rivers from threats into strategic economic assets, noting that floodplain mismanagement was responsible for flooding in the country.
The council’s Chairman, Dr Samson Opaluwah, who disclosed this in a recent interview, expressed deep concern over the ongoing devastation caused by seasonal floods, particularly in riverine communities.
He extended heartfelt condolences to victims, especially those affected by the recent flood in Mokwa, Niger State, where over 150 lives were lost.
He said, “Floodplains’ mismanagement is responsible for flooding. We pray that God will comfort the families of the bereaved and provide succor and replacement for those who have lost essential items, real estate, and livelihoods,” he said.
Opaluwah urged both the government and the public to support compatriots in distress due to the floods.
“Every nation prepares for the climatic situation that they find themselves in on an ongoing basis. Nigeria’s predictable rainy and harmattan seasons should compel federal, state, and local governments to adopt annual flood-prevention programmes.
“The global impact of climate change is a growing challenge, urging Nigeria’s Ministry of Environment and climate change agencies to act with urgency. These organs should perform their roles in society to avoid these unpleasant occurrences. Our country has the professionals and the capacity to be proactive,” he said.
While commending the emergency management frameworks set up by the government, he emphasised that reactive measures are not enough.
“They have to be supported, funded, and appropriately manned for them to be responsive. We should, however, focus on the preventive,” he added.
Turning attention to the nation’s natural geography, Opaluwah lamented the underutilisation of Nigeria’s major rivers: Niger and Benue.
“Nigeria is blessed to have two major geographical features as large rivers. We are supposed to use them to our advantage. Nigeria is not tapping the resources or adequately using these large bodies of water, and that is why they have continued to be burdens to us rather than an advantage,” he stated.
He proposed an economic development programme built around these rivers, integrating maritime activities, tourism, manufacturing, and international investment.
“Many of the governments along these river courses and even the federal government have not considered these major natural endowments as something to be appreciated, tapped, and harnessed,” he noted.
One of the most critical issues, according to CORBON, is the widespread construction along floodplains.
“They have built houses where they are not supposed to build, and whenever there is rainfall, the body of water will claim where it is supposed to flow through or remove anything in its path,” he said.
Opaluwah called for stricter enforcement from town planning authorities, emphasising their responsibility to integrate flood mitigation in urban development. “They are also supposed to provide for designs that will mitigate these sorts of occurrences constantly in our society,” he added.
Pointing out the role of the Ecological Fund Office in addressing the crisis, he urged state governments to act decisively while assuring them that CORBON stands ready to assist any government willing to implement practical solutions.
“Buildings in the floodplains are either protected or they should be removed. That is the permanent solution for these perennial incidents. The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria will be available to support any government that calls on us in providing these solutions,” he concluded.
