By Oghenefejiro Emado
27, July 226
Renowned environmental rights activist and development advocate from the Niger Delta, Chief Mulade Sheriff has called on governors in the Niger Delta region to take urgent and pragmatic steps to reduce the impact of flooding forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet.
In a statement issued on Monday, Mulade warned that failure to act ahead of the anticipated heavy rains could lead to severe humanitarian and environmental consequences across the region.
The National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, and the Ibe-Sorimowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, expressed concern over what he described as the continued neglect of citizens’ welfare by political leaders.
According to him, many public office holders appear to place personal ambitions and narrow political interests above their constitutional duty to protect lives and property.
Mulade noted that flood disasters have become a recurring challenge in the Niger Delta, leaving residents with deep hardship.
He recalled that communities affected by the devastating 2012 floods, and by later incidents, are yet to fully recover from their losses.
The environmental Rights activist lamented that the failure of governments at all levels to put in place sustainable flood prevention and disaster management measures has left vulnerable communities exposed to repeated environmental crises.
“As we approach the peak of heavy rainfall, urgent and coordinated action is needed. Without it, the region risks another round of widespread destruction of homes, farmlands, infrastructure and livelihoods,” he said.
The environmental advocate urged governors across the nine Niger Delta states to collaborate with federal agencies, emergency management bodies, local government councils and community stakeholders to design and implement effective flood mitigation strategies.
Specifically, Mulade called for:
1. *Immediate evacuation plans* for communities in high-risk flood zones
2. *Desilting of waterways and drainage channels* to ease water flow
3. *Strengthening of emergency response mechanisms*
4. *Provision of relief materials and medical healthcare* for potential victims
5. *Sustained public awareness campaigns* to educate residents on safety measures
He stressed that states such as Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers, which historically record the worst impacts of seasonal flooding, should take the lead in preventive actions to safeguard lives and property.
Mulade maintained that proactive planning, intergovernmental collaboration and genuine commitment to citizens’ welfare remain the most effective ways to avert another large-scale flood disaster in the Niger Delta.
This comes after NiMet issued a flash flood risk alert for July 1 to July 10, covering 27 states across the country. The agency warned that widespread rainfall expected within the period could trigger flooding as Nigeria enters the peak of the rainy season.
