A water resources management expert, Michael Ale, has called for a stronger institutional framework to address the recurring flooding in Ekiti State. He attributed the persistent flooding in the state to the absence of effective institutions capable of enforcing regulations and imposing sanctions on offenders. Ale, the Coordinator of the Global Development Initiative, made the call in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday. He urged the Ekiti State House of Assembly to enact a Flood Resilience and Urban Planning Enforcement Law.
The call followed flooding recorded in parts of the state, particularly Ado Ekiti, the state capital, last week, which resulted in loss of lives and property as well as disruption of socio-economic activities. Ale said the state urgently needed a strong institutional framework to tackle the recurring challenge. He noted that flooding in Ado Ekiti is predictable, citing the Nigerian Meteorological Agency's (NIMET) predictions and the known causes, including building on waterways, blocked drains, and refuse in canals.
Ale advocated for the establishment of a waste management institution empowered to sanction indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains, as well as an emergency management institution with a functional early warning system. He also suggested that the Ekiti State House of Assembly should pass a Flood Resilience and Urban Planning Enforcement Law that makes annual dredging of Ureje and Elemi mandatory before March, creates 50-meter no-build buffer zones, and criminalises building without drainage clearance.
The expert noted that Ekiti State has a 30-year Development Plan that clearly states flood control, sustainable urbanisation, and environmental resilience as pillars. However, he expressed concern that there is no Monitoring and Evaluation mechanism in place. Ale advised the government to adhere to the plan and be proactive in addressing the flood issue. He also suggested that the state government can set up a committee of experts to work on a holistic project to address the flood issue.
Ale drew lessons from the Oyo State Government, which sought assistance from the World Bank after experiencing severe flooding and subsequently received support to address the problem. He advised the Ekiti State government to do the same and ask for meaningful intervention. The expert also urged residents to avoid attempting to cross or move through floodwaters during heavy rainfall to prevent drowning and other hazards.
According to Ale, residents should be patient and wait for the water to recede before moving into flooded areas. He emphasised the need for a proactive approach to addressing the flood issue, rather than reacting to it after it occurs. The expert's call for a stronger institutional framework comes as the state continues to grapple with the challenges of flooding.
The Ekiti State government has been urged to take concrete steps to address the flood issue, including enacting the proposed Flood Resilience and Urban Planning Enforcement Law. The law, if passed, would provide a framework for preventing and mitigating the effects of flooding in the state. The government has been advised to take a holistic approach to addressing the flood issue, including investing in infrastructure and public education campaigns.
Key points
- Expert calls for stronger institutional framework to address flooding in Ekiti State
- Proposed law aims to provide framework for preventing and mitigating effects of flooding
- Government urged to take proactive approach to addressing flood issue
