Fraud causing recurring flooding in Nigeria – Town Planners

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has attributed the recurring flooding in Nigeria to fraud, stating that people have deliberately neglected laws and order to promote practices harmful to the environment.

The National President of the Institute, Nathaniel Atebije, made this assertion while addressing journalists in Enugu State as part of activities for their Annual General Meeting (AGM). He explained that flooding results from an evil conspiracy and the neglect of the essence of physical planning.

Lamenting the devastating effects of the trend on the environment, Atebije noted that many people had been displaced, and it continued to impact the country’s economic growth and development.

He explained that the lack of physical planning or poorly regulated urbanisation is the fundamental environmental fraud in Nigeria. He added that developers bypass and abuse environmental laws through corrupt practices, neglect of physical planning, unchecked urban sprawl, impunity, carelessness, and recklessness in the location of developments.

He further stated that corruption and lax enforcement of zoning laws allow illegal structures to be built on floodplains and near riverbanks, blocking natural waterways and causing water to overflow into urban and rural settlements during heavy rains.

Atebije lamented that some of these developments may have obtained permits through bribery or political connections, leading to violations of environmental laws intended to protect flood-prone areas.

He said that addressing the problem requires concerted efforts from governments, communities, and international organisations to ensure strict enforcement of environmental laws.

He said: “The principal antidote to flooding is to eschew environmental fraud, engage qualified town planners to prepare physical development plans, create and strengthen institutions for implementation, and enact and review laws and policies to facilitate the guided and sane development of our settlements.

“While flooding is often seen as a natural disaster, human actions, particularly environmental fraud, undeniably worsen its effects. The illegal exploitation of the environment for short-term gain creates long-term vulnerabilities, exposing societies to devastating floods.”

Atebije also stressed the need for climate change mitigation by improving infrastructure resilience, creating policies for water management, and promoting eco-friendly practices.

“There is a need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting efforts to lower emissions and embrace renewable energy to slow the progression of climate change, which worsens flood risks,” he said.

“We reiterate that physical planning and development control are paramount in averting flooding. Building regulations and zoning codes must be strictly enforced to prevent construction on floodplains and areas prone to flooding.

“Unregulated urban sprawl, especially in flood-prone areas, contributes to increased flooding. Authorities must ensure proper urban planning that incorporates flood risk assessments. We need to focus on infrastructure development, policy reforms (including amending outdated planning laws), rigorous public awareness campaigns, and environmental management.

“The government and people of Nigeria need to improve drainage systems, ensure proper waste disposal, construct and maintain dams, desilt rivers and water channels, promote afforestation and reforestation, encourage tree planting, and protect wetlands and forests. There is also a need to provide effective early warning systems and enhance public awareness.

“Collaboration with the private sector, NGOs, and international agencies is essential. Investment in advanced meteorological and hydrological systems can offer accurate and timely flood forecasts. Governments should also implement watershed management practices through sustainable land use and reforestation to prevent excessive water runoff.

“In areas where erosion is a concern, terraces, retaining walls, and other soil conservation techniques should be employed to reduce runoff into rivers and streams, thereby mitigating flood risks.”

He stressed the need to relocate vulnerable communities in flood-prone areas, particularly along riverbanks and coastal regions.

“We need credible efforts to avert flooding in Nigeria. This requires a multifaceted approach that involves aggressive physical planning, particularly by engaging indigenous consultants and enforcing plans by employing planners in the relevant establishments responsible for development control.

“Governments should also develop affordable housing schemes for people resettled from flood-prone regions to safer locations,” he said.