The Niger Delta by virtue of its peculiar terrain as the bank of the Niger Delta from where water from the rivers empty into the Atlantic Ocean has always been in constant danger of being flooded but at no time in recent history has it become as vulnerable as now with the looming effects of climate change on an already oil damaged environment.
Coastal communities are quietly being submerged even before the flood and perennial flooding translates to an unbreakable cycle of poverty as folks lose all to flood to start afresh after. In serious countries, the strategic position of the region in the country’s economy ought to ring enough bells for action to fashion out how best to conquer this menace but not for Nigeria. Even the local and state governments some of who have their houses and communities badly simply carry on unperturbed. The nation’s weather management body NIMET has been issuing warnings, alerting on the flood and nobody cared until it arrived with vengeance killing people, destroying properties and livelihoods.
As at press time over 500 people have been lost to this menace, communities sacked and communication links cut off. National Point in this special report follows the flood across Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers States.
