Olamide Ayoade
The Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) has recommended thorough environmental vulnerability mapping of potential disaster hotspots nationwide to reduce the frequency and severity of flood disasters in the country.
The recommendation was contained in preliminary observations by NAS over the recent devastating flood that occurred in Adamawa, Borno, Jigawa, and Taraba, between August and September 2024, which revealed that both natural and human factors contributed to the floods apart from global climate change being a major factor.
The failure of the Alau dam constructed on the channel of the River Ngadda, approximately 20 kilometres south of Maiduguri, reportedly exacerbated the flooding in Borno State.
In a statement signed by the President, Professor Ekanem Braide, and the Public Affairs Secretary, Professor Jonathan Babalola, stating that the Academy is ready to provide expert advice, the need for rigorous environmental impact assessment of large-scale infrastructure with potential disaster consequences was also suggested.
According to NAS, there is also a need to stimulate contingency plans to respond to specific disasters rapidly.
As a community of scientists, the NAS emphasized that while natural disasters cannot be entirely prevented, their impact can be significantly mitigated through the application of scientific principles and thinking.
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The Academy commended the federal and state governments, as well as public-spirited organizations and individuals, for their prompt response and interventions to bring succour and hope to those affected.
It said they are committed to supporting the government in developing strategies to mitigate the effects of natural disasters and urges Nigerians to come together to prevent such disasters in the future.
