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According to a frontline Isoko leader of ideas in the diaspora, Chief Obaro Odu, the flooding that is affecting many States in Nigeria and uprooting citizens is nothing short of stupidity on the part of government at all levels.
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Odu, who responded to the flooding issue from Houston, Texas in the United States of America, also refuted claims that the nation’s recurring floods were caused by some natural changes in climatic conditions, highlighting the fact that those in charge of governance lacked the vision to predict and prevent situations.
The National Emergency Management Agency, or NEMA, was quoted as saying, “The issues have been known about for years. The agency also knew the present flooding was coming since Cameroon informed Nigeria of her intention to discharge the extra water being held by the Lagdo Dam in Northern Cameroon sometime in August of this year.
The wise guy claims that NEMA was also aware of the flooding effects of the Lagdo Dam’s opening in Cameroon.
“These recurrent disasters that continue to plague our towns should not have happened,” said one person. “A government that works for the people should have had both long- and short-term remedies in place.”
Flooding in our Isoko homeland has occurred every four years since 2012, according to Odu, the immediate past President-general of the Isoko Association of North America. Yes, there was flooding in 2012. We’re back in 2022 after another in 2018.
He added it is regrettable that neither the State nor the Federal Governments have taken any action to plan and construct canals to direct the water to non-destructive courses.
However, he praised some altruistic people for rising to the situation and undertaking numerous efforts meant to aid flood victims.
The bulk of those displaced would not have a home or farm to return to, he said, adding that “soon enough, the water will subside and those displaced will face the terrible reality of going home and going about their lives.
“What actually makes me suffer is this. The flood victims will still be addressing issues like where to live, what to do for a living, and how to put food on the table in a year, when all the attention, picture ops, cameras, and emotions have faded. It will be really painful, to put it mildly.
The diasporan advised that planning should begin right away to prevent hearing about the Isoko floods in the breaking news in 2026.
He asserted that “all hands should be on deck by all stakeholders to identify not only short-term answers to the floods but also long-term solutions to prevent future catastrophes.
“I must admit that it won’t be simple. However, I urge all of our governments and corporate neighbors, including AGIP, Heritage, and NPDC, to act as decent corporate citizens of our Isoko nation.
Odu remarked, “Hopefully, four years from now, we can all raise our champagne glasses in a toast of ‘we got it done, mission accomplished’.”
