Nigeria Meterological Agency was established in 2003 by an act of national assembly to carry out the following functions:
To observe Nigerian Weather and Climate and provide Meteorological, Hydrological and Oceanographic services in support of National needs and international obligations.
Simply put, they have four functions namely: 1) observing and monitoring the state of the atmosphere, ocean, and inland waters; (2) conducting research aimed at understanding, modeling, and predicting the behavior of atmospheric and related processes and phenomena; (3) providing forecasts, warnings, and advisory services to the community at large and to specific user groups; and (4) fulfilling obligations for international cooperation in data exchange and service provision, under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) convention.
In 2012, there were flooding disasters that affected the riverine areas. The home of the then president GOODLUCK Jonathan was submerged. It was a national emergency with attendant challenges. Many residents of the affected areas battled with snakes, crocodiles and dangerous sea animals that entered into living rooms. There was food crisis, drinking water crisis and water borne disease crisis.
This year 2022, barely 10 years after the 2012 flood disaster, a serious flood disaster is happening. Riverine areas in Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Kogi have witnessed disasters with houses submerged and many lives lost . Internet is also agog with River Niger breaking natural water banks and overflowing
My question is who should we blame? Did NiMET charged with responsibility to forewarn the nation fail at its core mandate? If they did forewarn of impending flood disaster, did the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) do their job through their state offices to collaborate with state and local govts to evacuate people from disaster prone areas?
We need to question the provision of fund to NiMET for modernization in terms of staffing, research funding, and scientific capability.
Just as is obtainable in many govt run institutions in Nigeria, I presume that much of the technical infrastructure (observation systems, communications facilities, data archival systems, and forecasting systems) at NiMET may be obsolete. It means the national assembly should invite the executives of NiMET to explain if there was funding, and if the funding entered into private pockets or if executives purchased obsolete equipment
Lives are being lost daily in flooded areas. Makeshift boats capsize and drown victims. It seems NEMA is not on ground to handle emergency
There is a need also to querry the fund allocation to NEMA for disaster management. What is their readiness to combat flood disaster? Do they have supplies of blankets, mosquito nets etc for victims?
There is going to be compound problems of food crisis, drinkable water crisis and water borne disease crisis. It is scary to say NIGERIA SHOULD BRACE UP FOR TWIN CHALLENGES OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS AND NATIONAL FOOD SHORTAGE with water borne diseases
We have serious issues at hand. National Insecurity, national hunger and hopelessness, youth restiveness and upcoming natural disasters with it's attendant challenges. Campaigns will be ongoing as flood victims suffer untold hardship.
A new president will have have his hands full while the people who led us into the mess disappear into thin air after 2023.
God save NIGERIA. Enough of human suffering.
