Despite warnings from experts and meteorological agencies, people do not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from flooding – and many do not believe in scientific forecasts.

The Lake Chad Basin region is no stranger to flooding – a recent live on-air debate on the subject “Flood in the Lake Chad Basin region: Climate Change or Management Planning?” has shed light on the complexities of this issue.

Aired shortly before the start of the 5th edition of the Lake Chad Governors’ Forum, it is clear that regional collaboration is key to mitigating and preventing future flood disasters.

The causes of flooding in the region are multifaceted, with overpopulation and urbanisation being major contributors. As people desperately seek settlements, they often destroy bushes and build structures on waterways without permission from authorities.

The rapid growth of cities and towns in the region has led to an increase in the number of people living in flood-prone areas. As people seek to settle in these areas, they destroy natural habitats and build structures on waterways, which can exacerbate flooding.

However, experts such as Professor Mustapha Adamkolo, Rabiou Amadou and Goni Aminami also point to climate change, lack of community awareness and unheeded warnings as significant factors.

“Despite warnings from experts and meteorological agencies, many people in the region do not take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their properties from flooding, while many still do not believe in these scientific forecasts or predictions,” said Adamkolo, an researcher from the University of Maiduguri in Borno State.

“In Chad and Niger, the high cost of cement means that most houses are made of clay, making them more vulnerable to flooding. This has resulted in significant loss of lives and livelihoods,” said Goni Aminami from Chad.

Urban development specialist Alie Aba from Cameroon attributes the annual flooding to a lack of political will and commitment from authorities to fulfil their pledges.

“Raising awareness among communities about the risks associated with flooding and the importance of taking necessary precautions to protect themselves and their properties is crucial. Building structures that are resistant to flooding, such as houses made of cement, can help to reduce the impact of flooding.”

Aba said flooding can damage infrastructure, including roads, bridges and buildings, which can disrupt economic activity and hinder access to essential services.

“It also poses health risks, including the spread of water-borne diseases and the contamination of water sources, which is another health-related issue affecting the region and something we see every year.”

So, what can be done to mitigate and prevent flooding in the region?

Amadou believes that a multifaceted effort is required, taking into account the diverse nature of the region.

In Niger, the government has reduced the price of cement to enable people to build more resilient homes.

Aba suggests that governments in Cameroon and Chad should fulfil their pledges to build buffer zones to protect vulnerable communities from displacement and invest heavily on the aspect of community sensitisation and awareness.

The lack of political will and commitment from authorities to fulfil their pledges and implement effective flood management strategies is another major challenge in the region.

“Community sensitisation and transparency in land allocation are crucial,” said Kaltume Jafaru, a participant from Nigeria.

“By engaging community members, religious and traditional institutions and decision-making processes, the region can better address environmental and flooding issues.

“The need for regional collaboration cannot be overstated.

“Floods have become our big enemy, not only armed groups. During the current insurgency, the four countries came together to form a multinational joint task force. Similar efforts are needed to tackle flooding,” said Aba.

The Lake Chad Governors’ Forum, which starts today in Maiduguri, provides a platform for development partners, international donor agencies and regional authorities to share experiences, challenges and best practices.

On regional collaboration, Adamkolo said that there is a need for sharing experiences and challenges related to flooding at the regional level because it can help to identify best practices and develop effective flood-management strategies.

“This can help to develop common standards for flood management, ensuring that all countries in the region are working towards the same goals,” he said.

The Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), in collaboration with the Yobe State government, the African Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is proud to host the 5th Edition of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Borno State, Nigeria.

The forum is running from Wednesday to Friday, January 29 to 31, in Maiduguri, Borno State. Radio Ndarason Internationale 88.5FM Maiduguri is a proud partner.

The forum brings together a diverse group of stakeholders — including governors, state and national governments from the four member states, regional economic communities, local and national civil society organisations, United Nations entities, national and international non-governmental organisations, research and educational institutions, international governments, donor partners and other financial and technical partners.

Together, they will explore and define pathways towards sustainable peace and development in the region.

MAMMAN MAHMOOD