Flooding and vicious circle of poverty in Niger Delta region, Bayelsa state experience.

 

 By Hon Ofoni D WILLIAMS. 

Flooding is generally acknowledged, viewed and seen as water overwhelming productivity land or land in general. Hence,  it could be flash or perennial flooding. 

Both flooding noted are occasioned by the degree of precipitation cum other factors .

On the part of flash flood, outside the degree of rainfall, poor drainage system and slitting are responsible for flash flood which is usually associated urban settlements.

In a nutshell inappropriate development is principally cause, outside the volume of rainfall or water . This in itself is a function of climate change. 

However, both flash and perennial flooding bear almost same attributes. 

Be that  it may be, gradient plays significant role in perennial flooding associated with Rivers.

Rivers are natural medium and channels for water passage. 

In Africa, River Nile, Congo, Niger are major and most famous rivers of the continent. 

A run down of the trio(River Nile, Congo and Niger)

Nile River...begins from lake Victoria in Tanzania. The lake in question receives water from  twenty six rivers and located or suited 1,135 meters  above sea level. 

The Nile River is known to drain 10% of African land area.

It's interesting to note that we have white, Blue and Red Nile. The red Nile is a major tributary of the Blue Nile. 

Blue Nile, begins near lake Tana in Ethiopia. Both white and Blue meet at Khartoum in Sudan. 

The Nile river empties into the Mediterranean sea in northern Egypt. 

The Blue Nile is not necessarily blue in colour. Anything relatively dark in colour in Sudan is referred to Azrag meaning Blue.

The Nile  River covers a distance or length of 6,650 km, passes through six countries and had 25 dams.

Congo Rivers...it begins or source is from the highland and mountains of East Africa Rift at lake Tangayika. 

A height of 773 metres but very deep great rift valley. Lake in question is shared by four countries ( Congo , Burundi,  Tanzania and Zambia).

River Congo is the most powerful river in Africa continent and second most voluminous river in the globe,  with a discharge capacity of 1 500,000 cubic feet of water per second. 

Drain 4km sq or 13% of African land mass. It crosses the equator twice and host 16 dams of which four are privately owned. 

Niger River... it source is the Guinea high lands, covers a distance of 4, 180 km. Drain  2,117, 700 km2, had eight dams on it of which four are in Nigeria. Namely  kanji 1969, Jabba 1985, Shiroro 1990 and Zungeru dam that is under construction. ) this is not to say other are not in Nigeria. 

Niger River passes ten countries..Niger, Guinea, mali, Burkina Faso, Benin,  Chad, uh Cameroon, Nigeria and Cote de Ivoire.

It's the third longest in Africa continent after Nile and Congo Rivers. 

The above are common characteristics of Rivers and others known common features is in relation to their importance of Rivers world wide, includes the followings. 

Rivers serves as or for Transportation, Irrigation, Hydroelectric generation, source of water for domestic and industrial use, source of food and protein content. Host of beautiful features for Tourism eg ox bow lakes, waterfalls, River captures etc.

The issue of discovery of River Niger remains a wrong deposition in history and if its anything to go by, it's for the consumption of Europeans and not Africans. 

Reason being that Africans had lived by the banks of  River Niger and many others before adventure of Mongo Park and others. 

Hence the discovery issue is not of importance to Africans but to even enrich the knowledge base of the Europeans. 

The trio Rivers (Nile, Congo and Niger) all shares same attributes of importance and are referred as international Rivers because they drained nations.

However, in same time,  it's seen as a curse to certain degree via flooding that occasioned vicious circle of poverty. 

Rivers primarily  had three stages...upper ,middle  and lower courses. In each of the stages, the functions equally differs.( erosion, transportation and deposition respectively, which in itself is because of characteristics features of each courses. 

Nigeria  had over two hundred Rivers and non had Delta outside River Niger that transerves ten countries. 

Upon the above  it's on record that the source of River Niger is put at 2,500 feet or 750 meters.

At the point of discharge into the Atlantic ocean via Bayelsa state in Nigeria. It's barely one meter above sea level. 

The depth of River Niger  varies in it  courses for obvious reasons in relationship to function and features. 

Around  Lokoja in Kogi state of Nigeria,  37 meter depth is recorded and this about two decades ago.

But as it progresses to Bayelsa state, it relatively shallow  with numerous sand beaches on both sides, narrow passage depth barely of 5 to 10  metres . Shockingly River Ethiope is the deepest in Nigeria.

This shallowness or relative low depth  also account for why the channel  overflows and flooding occasioned.

However, there are other factors that determine the degree of flooding which includes and based on precipitation, relatively too few dams on the River Niger,  poor management of the River (there is relatively  no data, functional hydrological stations to fundamentally monitor the River in other to make much needed water resources plans etc.

The various Rivers basin authorities have been reduced to mere political entities with poor funding.

Arising from the above development recorded, River Niger assumed the place of curse to Niger Deltans and alike . But worse hit are Bayelsans in no small measure.

Year in year out, Bayelsa state is subjected  to flooding, from the above later paragraph cum her geography.  

The after effect of the over flowing and flooding occasioned via River  Niger affects the entire gamut of life negatively. 

As Bayelsans are subjected to live inhuman conditions below slavery for months running. 

In this regard 70 to 90 percent of the entire state is left homeless.

 On recede of the flood yearly,  the people are subjected to routine renovations of their homes, for persons whom did not lost their houses. 

The floods are known to spread diseases (water borne diseases). Sadly, septic  tanks or soak ways, grave yards and unclean pollution compounded situation, as water becomes toxic to all living creatures. 

Farm lands are washed away and in most cases crops are destroyed, occasion food in security, fishing and breeding  grounds are  equally lost.

The above development account for more fish catches in the north when compared of late.

The transport value of River Niger diminishes because of slitting.

But hope and luck might shine on the state. If the blue economy drives is activated as required. 

In the absences of it ,the people of Bayelsa state shall remain victim of vicious circle of poverty as a result of perennial flooding. 

Shockingly, all tier of government restore to alarmist and at best provision of palliative which in itself institutes discrimination. It should interest all concerned that flooding is beyond relief materials.

As per flash flooding,  it should be the responsibility of the state government's to address the negative outcome. 

Because flash flooding is a function of near no presence of government and good governance in any state in question and as such states  should be responsible.

One wonders, why government deliberately encourages slums and inappropriate development with her eyes opened. 

In Bayelsa state, Senator Melford  Okilo road quickly comes to mind.

  As the state government watch and sees  the littering of and  with one room story structures. 

These structures in question are approved by government agencies concerned. 

Worst off it all, this ill positioned structures are commercial entities that requires parking lots.

If for nothing, let the state government be remaindered that it remains an abuse to land use practices established. 

Further more,  plans approved for people to build into drains that impede free flow of water, Roads constructed are without drains, poor streetings, structures built too close to high tension wires, right of ways encroached upon unjustly,  government reserved areas (GRA) distorted  deliberately, existing few drainages are dumping grounds only for government to be interested in ritualistic contracts on yearly bases. 

Acquired land areas completely built up by developers or private owners occasioning unsafe act in advance at the advent of fire incident.

Whereas, only 25 percent of acquired land area is to be built up ideally. 

Our worship centres and business enterprises are most guilty. Hence, Yenagoa.  The state capital remains a glorified capital  28 years after creation. 

The government seems clapping for this ugly development in place, as no known atom of proactive ness is  recorded. 

On the part of developers, they ran to court for refuge unjustly. Even though they are aware that the approval obtained to build fall short of building code and regulations.

This attitudes are flanked because our institutions are weak and powerful individuals does exist that  over ride laws cum regulations. 

To this effect the state has a long trek to witnessing urbanization. Let it be properly copied that the song of urban renewal is misplaced one.

Bayelsa state is far from witnessing urban decay in it's true sense rather the state is suffering from the aftermath of impossitory development. 

The problem of Yenagoa is inappropriate development . Development without any atom of planning. 

Hence, anything goes in terms of development in the state capital and environs that input negatively on  physical security management too.

In forward thinking and suggestively suggesting the followings.

Firstly, government should demonstrate political will in addressing the deliberate abuse by establishing development tribunal. 

Government should convoke  development conference,  where critical stakeholders in the industry (Engineer, surveyors, developers, youth's bodies etc to explain government position concerning plan and development for the entire state. 

The states in Niger delta should reach out to the federal government to address obvious discrimination mete out to impacted states by River Niger (non inclusion in the Hydropade commission.)

The flood affected states should reach out to the federal government with  a view to deslit the River Niger every five years. 

In line to the above, affected states should propose to the federal government to establish a contributory consolidated account for desliting of River Niger. In relationship to the allegation sharing formula in the Nigeria federation. 

More dams should be built on River Niger. Affected states  can equally partner to own dams, as in the case of Congo River. Where four dams are privately owned. 

An environmental impact assessment be carried out three years running because of the delicate nature of coastal geo morphology ( twice in a year , wet and dry seasons)

It is not out of place for government to step up her approach in addressing flooding by ensuring that institutions facilities be it primary,  secondary, tertiary educational  and medical facilities live above flood level.

Affected citizens be given yearly grants of one million naira each  for personal lost occasioned by the flooding.

Upon all other mitigation measures to be employed.

In addition and particularly in relation to flash flood. The government should give citizens hope by building trust for citizens because it seems trust is being eroded fast in recent times for obvious reasons. 

Where mere implementation of existing laws and regulations found itself via windows unjustly in governance.

Making offenders of the laws an outlaw .where constitutional democracy is said to be practise and in place.

If this trend continues unabated, in the near future.  Individuals shall publicly take the place of law. Government and governance shall be called to question. 

In avoidance to the above scenario, operators or persons on driver seat of government need to examine and evaluate procedural approach to governance and possibly give seasoned hope to the people by being just.

On the same note, it should interest us all to ask vital questions as to why flooding in the Niger Delta states had not elicited or attract same as the case of Brono state, flooding of September  10th , 2024.

Where donations is likely to reach 20 billion naira plus. Already 17 billion naira landmark is achieved.

Finally, it's recall able that some time past   lack of data was adduced as to why Bayelsa state flooding impact   is not given the desired attention. 

What next and where do we go from  here, is the question before we all and Senator Duoye Diri led prosperity government of Bayelsa state.

Hence, Hon Ofoni D WILLIAMS note thus ' Government and governance is a serious endeavor for serious minded people or persons devoid of bread and butter relationship ' (Pinaoge series 19121987)