Following months of heavy downpours in different parts of the country and the purported release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Northern Cameroun, several communities in the country have witnessed heavy flooding leading to the displacement of 2.5 million families in Nigeria.
Over 1,000 lives have been said to be lost to flood water across the country.
These lamentations are coming from the Global Labour University (GLU – Germany).
Spokespersons for the group, Bashman Mohammed, Convener, Global Labour University (GLU – Germany) Just and Green Study Group, 2022 made the observations to ThisNigeria in Abuja.
He stated: ” Just and Green Study Group, 2022 Cohort, has monitored the unfortunate incident as it has deteriorated into a national environmental crisis. No doubt, the evidence points to climate change.
“Having witnessed firsthand the human misery and anguish unleashed by the escalating flooding all over Nigeria, and considering the laudable provisions of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act.”
The group observed that this year’s flooding is the worst in the history of flooding in Nigeria.
Communities within Nigeria that have hitherto not witnessed flooding in the past have been inundated in a deluge of heavy rains and flood waters with many of these communities becoming totally submerged.
“It is estimated that about 2.5 million Nigerian families have been affected and displaced, with the loss of over 1,000 precious lives and properties worth billions of naira lost,” they observed.
They also warned that the floods have put Nigeria at risk of a severe health crisis, food shortages, and socio-economic challenges.
“The affected communities face impending health crises such as a spike in the incidence of malaria, cholera and dysentery as many underground sewages have been compromised and their content spilt into streams and other sources of drinking water.”
“Also, many farmlands have been washed away and private businesses crippled creating impending social-economic challenges in the nearest future.”