In a previous post on my blog I drew attention to the flooding situation in my country Nigeria. I also recommended that the dredging of the River Niger and the River Benue will provide a lasting solution both in the short and the long run. However, like in every thing else in the country the federal government is planning to embark on building dams to control the water. I want to use this medium to call on Nigerians of all works of life to oppose the proposed action of the federal government as it is a waste of funds and will not provide a lasting solution.
The flood has not only render millions of people homeless but it has also destroyed the farms and farmland of major food basket zones of in the country. Now the resultant effects food scarcity has become obvious all over the country. As one would have expected if the country had food reserves for its citizens, they would have released some to cushin the effect. However immediately the flood occurred some smart governors released money to food stuff traders to invade other state and buy up their foodstuff. Edo State being the closest to both Delta and Bayelsa states, the Bayelsa traders went to the Villages of Edo State and literally mopped up all the garri, yams and red pepper. They were willing to pay premium for any foodstuff that was available in the local markets. So three days into the flood disaster garri that sold for #2,500.00 a basin went up to #7,500.00. As I write prices of various foodstuff has gone up astronomically. The State and Federal government are not offering solutions. If it was in other climes where government plans they would release food from their strategic food reserve. But this is Nigeria, my Nigeria, I hail thee.