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Nigeria Flood: It Won't Get Better Unless... - Olojede Reacts as Death Crosses 600

Public Affairs analyst, Gbolahan Olojede, says Nigeria's flood problems will worsen unless it invests in its hydrological assets.

Nigeria is witnessing one of the worst floods in recent history. The flood has killed over 600 people and displaced over two million others, according to the federal government.

Speaking on Morning Crossfire, Olojede believes the severity of this year’s flood is down to external and internal factors.

On the external side, there is massive flooding across the globe this year due to climate change.

Also, the major rivers in Nigeria (the Benue and Niger) flow into Nigeria, and their impact cannot be easily controlled by the country.

On the internal side, Nigeria's hydrological assets have been poorly managed, according to Olojede.

“There have not been investments. Shiroro, which is the last dam of the Niger was built in 1984," he says.

"So for close to 40 years there has been no major investment in managing our hydrological assets”

"We just assume that the predictability we have enjoyed in the past would continue but that has changed."

In addition, he recommends that Nigeria starts small and makes such investments because "it won't get better."

 


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