An environmental and peace advocate, Chief Sheriff Mulade, has urged the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori-led government of Delta State to set up a committee of environmental experts in the State ministry in partnership with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) among others, to work directly with its environmental agencies to mitigate the effects of floods as well as provide reliefs for victims in flood-prone areas of the State.

Chief Mulade, who is the National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, gave the recommendation on Friday, 18th August, 2023, in Abuja, at a conference organize by environmental experts towards addressing the various environmental challenges associated with floods in Nigeria.

The CEPEJ Boss, whose recommendation is predicated on the heavy rains witnessed recently across the country and the August 2023 predictions given by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said: "According to the prediction of NEMA, about nineteen (19) states would experience flooding in August 2023 and Delta State is one of them.

"Based on the prediction, 56 communities might be submerged, and communities likely to experience heavy flooding are those situated in low lands and riverine areas of Delta State," he added.

The National Coordinator, while speaking on the impact of flooding, particularly the Niger-Delta region, at the conference  which drew environmental experts from around the world and that featured presentations on policies and methods of curbing and managing flood in Nigeria, commended Governor Oborevwori for clearing and evacuating debris from blocked drains and opening up water channels across major cities as part of efforts to nip and control the imminent flood in the State.

However, the Ibe Serimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, charged the Federal and State governments, especifically the Delta State government, to proactively put measures and strategies in place to curb flooding in the state and to bring succour to victims of flood disaster.

"I further urge the state government to set up a committee of environmental experts both in the Ministry and non-governmental organizations, NGO etc, to work directly with government environmental agencies to urgently construct flood Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, relocation of individuals and communities to higher lands, providing relief materials and medicines for victims.

"In line with that simple but proactive measure, I urge the Delta State government to adopt pragmatic approach and act fast by providing the needed assistance that will save lives and properties of Deltans living in such a disadvantaged region of the State before it is too late. I also urge residents of the State to obey government instructions and directives," he charged.

In the early quarters of 2023, CEPEJ, under the directive of its National Coordinator, embarked on community sensitization on flood control, what to do before, during and after flood, and provided safety tips on flood, as well as the ways to stay safe in flood-prone communities in Delta, Bayelsa and other Niger Delta States.

The programme was geared at creating awareness in traditional rulers, chiefs, women, youths, and community leaders on how to protect the lives and properties of their people during flood as predicted by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NHSA, on February 17, 2023, annual flood outlook in Nigeria.

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