EDITIORAL FOR OPEN BUSINESS NEWSPAPER
Flood menace: More action, less pity
In the last few weeks, Nigeria recorded avoidable death of innocent citizens through flood that ravaged parts of the country .From the North to the South, East and West, cries of anguish have not ceased due to what many describe as natural disaster.
The lastest of such calamity which took place in Mokwa in Niger state, reportedly devastatingly claimed over 200 lives and rendered uncountable people homeless.
The state government has inevitably been thrown into a mourning mood while condolence messages have continued to pour in torrents. In reaction, the federal government has approved N2 billion and 20 food trucks for Niger state flood victims.Some kind- hearted individuals and corporate entities have equally donated cash and food stuffs to support the unfortunate victims.
OPEN BUSINESS newspaper hereby joins the numerous entities to extend profound condolences but cautions that urgent steps be taken to avert a repeat of such avoidable disaster.We recall that a few months ago , particularly during dry season, the relevant government agency, NIMET, issued warning to erosion – prone parts of the country to prepare for rainy season .Part of such preparations is the prompt relocation of people living in those dangerous areas.We are pained to hear that some state governments did not do what they ought to have done on time or the residents neglected such early warning of possible misfortune. By the way, who allows these disobedient landlords to build houses in unauthorised places? How long shall we continue to spill blood of the hapless citizens to official carelessness? How often do different tiers of government and opinion leaders sensitise the citizens of the inherent dangers of building houses in unsafe areas?
The foregoing questions should be sufficiently answered unless there is truth that some corrupt government officials benefit from what has become annual disasters and the accompanying relief funds.We hate to believe that people should willingly feast on such blood money as was sadly recorded during the COVID-19 fiasco.
Against the backdrop of the unfortunate episode, we hereby call on the Niger state government to ensure that the relief cash and materials being donated to it are properly managed.To this end, we advise that trustworthy persons be appointed to handle the storage and distribution of those materials such that the actual victims get them on time.There should not be story of diversion of the materials and officials involved must be severely punished.Part of the money should be essentially ear- marked for medical treatment of the victims, their feedings as well as resettlement.
Though flood is a natural disaster hut with proper planning, it should be averted.As it is commonly said, prevention is better than cure Let us do the right thing at the right time .It is better to do more than talk more.The country can not continue to waste the lives of its youthful population to flood This advice is pertinent given the report that 33 states of the federation face looming flood this season .The souls that are daily lost through unabating insecurity are enough depletion of the useful population that can shore up our Gross Domestic Product if when utilized.
