Safe for the perennial occurrences of erosion in some parts of the country and occasional ocean surge peculiar to coastal states, one of the earliest signs that Nigeria was not immune to damaging natural disasters manifested on July 10, 2011, when Lagos was virtually submerged after the state had a 24-hour torrential downpour descend upon it. Properties were wrecked and lives were lost. Life became ‘normal’ after that horrendous experience.
If the July 10, 2011 flooding could be described as damaging, what we have just experienced in various parts of Nigeria cannot be defined without adding ‘annihilating’ as a qualifier. The unfortunate angle to the whole scenario is that, the disaster was foretold well ahead of time and decisive mitigating actions could have saved lives and properties from the debilitating effects of the flooding which came and left in its trail devastation and death. Figures released by the Red Cross speak volume: “…at least 148 people have been killed by floods in different parts of the country; over 64,000 have been rendered homeless while millions have been plunged deeper into poverty.”
From all indications, the popular adage ‘To be forewarned is to be fore-armed’ appears like one which has lost its true essence in governance.
See pictures/stories on #SaveNGFloods here