Flood: Kaduna residents doubt NIMET prediction

Our correspondent who visited Kigo extension, an area in Kaduna North Local Government very close to River Kaduna, observed that many houses have been built on the flood plain, close to the famous river while some new houses were still under construction. A flow channel of the river passes within the community. It would be […]

Our correspondent who visited Kigo extension, an area in Kaduna North Local Government very close to River Kaduna, observed that many houses have been built on the flood plain, close to the famous river while some new houses were still under construction.
A flow channel of the river passes within the community.
It would be recalled that this area has witnessed series of flood disasters, which made residents stay away from their homes for weeks during the last flooding that ravaged the area.
Even though many people have packed out of the area, it is surprising that many still reside in there in spite of what happened in 2012.
Our reporter also observed that most of the houses being built in the area are storey buildings.
John Stephen, a resident of Kigo extension said that it is not that the economy of the country is so bad that they cannot get houses in other places, “it’s just that we like the area. We know what is coming and we are ready for it; though we are not expecting the flood at all this year. Our experience in the past was bad and it has always been God seeing us through; sometimes, the flood usually lasts between two to three weeks before it finally goes and then we go back to our homes.
“The flood is not an annual occurrence, it happens once in three years, so because we experienced flood last year, we are not expecting it this year but if it comes, we believe that is how God wants it.”
Another resident, Evangelyn Ifedi, said that majority of people residing in the area are landlords, saying this is why many of them are still maintaining their houses in a flood prone area.
“I have been living here for over seven years and I have observed that the flood is not something that occurs regularly. Before, it happens once in a while but now we don’t know why it is occurring too often,” she said.
Bartholomew Seyi who lives and does business in the area also expressed optimism, saying, “we have a feeling that this year, we might not experience flood in this area in spite of the warning given by agencies. Looking at the level of water in River Kaduna and the small tributary around this place, you will see that there is not much water in it compared to the past.
“Whenever the flood comes, it usually causes us some days of pains; the water will come and occupy our compounds for hours or days and then go back,” he stated.