The Basel Convention agreement had pragmatically helped in stimulating the level of awareness among member countries of which Nigeria is also a signatory to;hence the red-alert or potential predictions issued by the Nigerian Meterological Agency NIMET shouldnt be seen as bewilderment or one tbat is shocking especially when recounting the huge loss of property and lives that ravaged part of the nation last year.As timely as these predictions are,its quite sickening and very unfortunate that the level of preparedness being put in place by some of these state governments arent complementary.First and foremost,the nations management of natural disasters that was hitberto dismal is beginning to receive massive support and adequate attention from the federal government,although much effort still needs to done in terms of forming a stronger synergy with the state and local governments,otherwise their efforts would appear less impactful.The National Emergency Management Agency NEMA has been working round indefatiguably by ensuring it remains upbeat in the statutory discharge of its duties.However,the report posited in this article shows that those displaced communities and citizens who had been worst hit by last years flood still havent recover fully from the devastation.Of course,the management agency should be exonerated from whatever misfortunes affecting tbose affected;rather the federal and the affected state governments should be held responsible over their poor and shoddy handling of tbe disaster.The disbursement of funds meant for the relief and welfare of the affected communities by the federal government wasnt probably misappropriated by those entrusted witb such funds.I think it will do the country a great deal if necessary actions are taken to forestall future recurrence.Secondly,talking about the imminent danger of what looks to be a replica of last years flood and the non challant attitude of most of tbese state governors whose states have been projected as potentially flood-prone areas.Thats very typical of us;we seldom avert preventable disasters.The state and their respective local authorities has got a bigger role to here by ensuring that those potential-target communities are evacuated in time to a more spacious centres before the flood sets in.It isnt just about making empty promises,but rather a visible and more convincing steps must be on ground in order to avert any loss of lives.At least by now one would have expected those state governments to have swung into full action,unfortunately the reversed is the case.The Indians Phailin disaster and its near perfect management should have sent a good signal to us on how best to approach disasters;theirs is even tougher than ours.In addition,more pragmatic steps in the disbursement of relief of materials and funds need to be redefined in meeting up with the best international pratices.Lastly,those communities who are set to lose tbeir possessions as a result of the impending flood must be economically empowered through the massive support of both the private and public partnership.The so called relief materials ought not be the bus-stop,the governments should go beyond such assistance.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 09:45:01 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015