ALAP Holds 3rd Annual Summit in Lokoja, Warns Residents Against Dumping Refuse on Drainages

By: Joshua Adinoyi

The Association of Lokoja Academics and Professionals (ALAP), has held her 3rd Annual Summit at the Kogi State Capital, Lokoja.

The event with the theme: “Environment and the Challenges of Sustainable Development in River Niger Areas”, saw Academicians and seasoned Professionals in various fields, flood the Comrade Bala Youth House, Opposite Crowther Memorial College, Lokoja.

In a Paper Presentation, entitled “The Challenge of Flood to Development in the Lower Niger”, an Associate Professor in Transport History, Department of History and International Studies – Federal University Lokoja, Dr. Anthony Danladi Ali, explained that the Lower Niger River is usually flooded annually in the rainy season in the months of August and September, saying flood water usually submerged residential houses, farm lands, shops, schools, markets, worship places, amongst others.

Dr. Anthony, who was represented by the Former Administrator of Lokoja Local Government Area, Hon. Shiru Lawal, pointed out that hunger, poverty, deprivation, social degradation, lack of shelter, loss of means of livelihood, sickness and diseases, is usually the woes of victims of flood disaster.

The University Don however said flooding also has advantage in the Lower Niger Areas, noting that “Some of the benefits of the flooding of the Lower Niger River is that Flood takes the water to high level and makes navigation easy because boats are able to ply the river

“When the Lower Niger River is at high water, ocean-going boats can navigate up the Lower Niger and Benue Rivers as far as Baro, on the Niger and Wuroboki in Camerooun Republic

“The flooding of the Lower Niger River would make it possible for the buffer dams (when created) to conserve water needed to regulate the flow of the Lower Niger at low water or in the dry season months of November to April”

In order to minimize flood on the Lower Niger and Benue Rivers, Dr. Anthony recommends the Creation of buffer dams on the Lower Niger River below Kainji Dam and Cameroun Dam on the River Benue.

“Financial assistance should be be provided to farmers in the Lower Niger to enable them embark on FADAMA farming thereby producing crops all year round

“People be disallowed from putting up residential houses along river side of the Lower Niger and Benue Rivers and finally, Meteorological centre should give early warnings on eminent flood each year”

Similarly, Engr. Yahaya M.D Farouk, in his Paper Presentation titled “Poor Management of Drainage System in Lokoja”, decried the manner some residents dumb refuse on drainage channels within the State capital.

Engr. Farouk, who is a Former DLG of Lokoja LGA said drainage systems were constructed to ensure that waste water and sewage is transported neatly to disposal points, thereby keeping the environment well drained and free of waste, saying human activities has caused alot of havoc in the proper flow of drainages within the State Capital.

He noted that the need for proper drainage system cannot be overemphasized as it helps prevent the accumulation of water, minimize soil erosion, ensures a wholesome living if effectively managed, increases the value of property, amongst others.

Engr. Yahaya calls on residents and the State government to give attention to drainages within the State, saying proper drainage and waste disposal will go a long way at preventing flood and other environmental issues.

“From the study carried out, it can be concluded that drainage system in Lokoja are not adequate and few ones available have been turned into refuse dump sites as the inhabitants of the various areas continue to indiscriminately dump refuse and other solid materials in the drainage system, thus, increasing the tendency of flood and erosion problems within the area

“Regulations regarding littering and improper disposal of solid waste should be formulated, and stiff penalties should be imposed on defaulters

“Public awareness about the environment should be increased through environmental education so that the public participation in the Bi-monthly or monthly cleaning activities will improve

“It is clear from government and general public actions that there is a need to have a clean environment to reduce the risk of disease out breaks and the government should lay emphasis on the construction of drainage systems around residential and non residential areas which should be channelled into bigger drainage systems that will transport the surface runoff into collection points for treatments” he concluded.

In a remark, the Marafa of Oworoland who doubles as the Chairman of the Occasion, Alhaji (Dr.) Denja Abdul, described the Summit as timely, while commending the organizers for their foresight at putting the event together at a period it was most needed.

Dr. Abdul enjoined the public to abide by the presentation of the various speakers at the event, stressing that it will help arrest environmental menace in Lokoja, its environs and other Local Government Areas of Kogi State.

On his part, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Association of Lokoja Academics and Professionals
(ALAP), Mr. Aminu Isa, appreciated Allah for the success of the 2021 edition of the project.

Mr. Isa, who doubles as the Local Organizing Committee Chairman of the 3rd Annual Summit of the Association, explained that the noble body have been out to contributing her quota to the development of the society through the Summit.

He said the theme of the event “Environment and the Challenges of Sustainable Development in River Niger Areas” was chosen to complement government’s efforts at addressing issues of flood that has become an annual occurrence, stressing that erudite scholars from various professions were chosen to address the public in view of the experience they’ve garnered over the years.

Mr. Aminu Isa stressed that the body will not relent efforts at contributing to progress of the society, adding that the Association will continue to seek for synergy with various stakeholders, the government and other Associations towards profering solution to challenges.

Highlight of the event were Paper Presentation, Discussion, Question/Answer Session and Presentation of Text Books to invited Schools.

The General Manager of Kogi State Water Board, Engr. Saigir, a 2023 House of Assembly Aspirant (Lokoja I) Ibrahim Danladi Suleiman, amongst others, graced the occasion.