Stormwater system, carbon capture storage needed to end flooding in Nigeria – Environmental Engineer, Uzoma Ajugwe says.

As Nigeria enters another rainy season in full gear, there is the need to overhaul its flood management system to prevent the ravaging impact it has on lives and properties. According to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference commonly referred to as #cop27egypt, flood claimed the lives of over 600 people and displaced 1.4 million more across 33 states in the country in 2022.

Some may argue that flood is a natural disaster which is beyond man’s control, citing how global warming has raised water levels, among other factors. There is no doubt that with deliberate environmental planning, the issue of flood can be remarkably prevented. Take, for instance, the outflow of excess water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon which has contributed to flood in Nigeria time and again, it is clear that with better infrastructure, this disaster can be significantly managed.

The adverse effects of flood are farther reaching than most would readily admit. The damage it causes to farmlands results in food shortage and crisis which invariably leads to hike in prices of food items. It also damages infrastructure such as roads and culverts, which puts a strain on transportation, logistics and inevitably the economy. In addition, it contributes to the spread of waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera.

Kudos to the Nigerian government and other humanitarian bodies that swing to immediate action to provide succour and assistance to the victims of flood with food, clothing, shelter and other essential items. However, we must move from being reactionary to being proactive in addressing this matter.

Needless to say, there should be a huge investment in the construction of dams as quickly as possible, to store and control water movement especially in the riverine areas. Also, there should be a well planned architectural design of stormwater systems in Nigeria, which will collect and channel rainwater away from urban and developed settlements.

Afforestation and dredging should also be encouraged. Afforestation, on one hand, enables the soil to easily absorb and slow down the flow of water thereby lessening the risk of flood. The latter, on the other hand, is the removal of accumulated debris or other substances within water bodies to restore their depth; this prevents water from overflowing its bank and equally reduces the likelihood of flood.

Furthermore, the Nigerian government, big oil and power companies in Nigeria should invest in Carbon Capture Storage research and implementation to combat global warming. This is simply the process of capturing carbon emissions to store them deep underground, preventing them from going into the atmosphere to increase global warming.