Activist urges Niger Delta govs to prepare for coming floods

Sheriff Mulade, a prominent environmental rights activist and development advocate in Nigeria's Niger Delta region, has issued an urgent appeal to state governors. He is calling on them to implement proactive measures to mitigate the impact of anticipated flooding, as forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

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many public office holders appear to prioritise personal ambitions and parochial political interests above their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.

Mulade warned that a failure to act swiftly could lead to devastating humanitarian and environmental consequences. He expressed deep concern over what he described as the persistent neglect of citizens' welfare by political leaders, stating that "many public office holders appear to prioritise personal ambitions and parochial political interests above their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property."

The activist highlighted the recurring hardship faced by residents due to floods across the Niger Delta. He noted that many communities devastated by the historic 2012 floods and subsequent events have yet to fully recover. Mulade stressed that the ongoing failure of governments at various levels to implement sustainable flood prevention and disaster management measures leaves vulnerable communities repeatedly exposed to environmental disasters.

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the failure of governments at various levels to implement sustainable flood prevention and disaster management measures has left vulnerable communities exposed to repeated environmental disasters.

He cautioned that without urgent, collaborative, and coordinated interventions as the peak of the rainy season approaches, the region could face widespread destruction of homes, farmlands, infrastructure, and livelihoods once again. Mulade appealed to the governors to work together with federal agencies, emergency management organizations, local authorities, and community stakeholders to develop and execute effective flood mitigation strategies.

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if urgent collaborative and coordinated interventions are not undertaken ahead of the anticipated flooding as we approach the peak heavy rainfall, the region could once again witness widespread destruction of homes, farmlands, infrastructure, and livelihoods.

Specific recommendations include immediate evacuation plans for flood-prone areas, desilting of waterways and drainage channels, strengthening emergency response mechanisms, providing relief materials and healthcare services, and conducting sustained public awareness campaigns. Mulade emphasized that proactive planning, intergovernmental collaboration, and a genuine commitment to citizens' welfare are the most effective ways to prevent another large-scale flood disaster. He urged states like Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers, which are historically the most affected, to lead the implementation of preventive measures.

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States such as Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers, which are historically among the worst affected by seasonal flooding, should take the lead in implementing preventive measures to safeguard.