By Ahmad Shuaibu Isa
The recent floods in Makwa, a historic town in Niger State, Nigeria, have tragically highlighted the country’s fragile infrastructure and inadequate disaster preparedness. Once a vital trade hub linking southern merchants with northern farmers, Makwa has suffered years of neglect and environmental degradation. The flooding, which claimed at least 150 lives and displaced thousands, is a sobering reminder of the urgent need for better urban planning and climate resilience.
In the aftermath, a Nupe proverb offers deep reflection on the tragedy:
“Cigban na ma ‘na na, dagba ga a tsun ce, ebi nu, u din fu ninmi wun a; dinniko ga yize yi vwonyi, edzu ga u yi finyi.”
Translation:
“Wood that burns well does not last long; when an elephant kicks, only another elephant can withstand it. However sharp the blade may be, it cannot carve its own handle. The fly says the world is vast, but the spider says it is small.”
This proverb speaks to the fragility of strength, the interconnectedness of our actions, and the need for humility and shared responsibility in addressing systemic challenges.
A Preventable Tragedy
The flash floods struck in the early hours, catching residents off guard. Homes and infrastructure were overwhelmed, with the nearby River Niger intensifying the destruction. This disaster underscores how natural forces, when combined with human negligence, can become catastrophic.
Nigeria’s long history of flooding is worsening due to several interlinked factors:
1. Rapid Urban Growth – Nigeria’s population has soared from 122 million in 2000 to over 200 million today. Urban expansion has outpaced planning, often ignoring geography and environmental risks.
2. Poor Urban Planning – Building on floodplains continues despite zoning regulations. Weak enforcement results in chaotic development that fails to accommodate rainfall or drainage needs.
3. Waste Mismanagement – Many drainage systems are clogged with refuse. In numerous communities, drains are used as dumping grounds, impeding water flow and increasing flood risk.
4. Neglected Infrastructure – Ageing and unmaintained drainage and road systems leave communities repeatedly exposed during the rainy season.
Responsibility Must Be Shared
While government failures are evident—ranging from ignored environmental warnings to poor infrastructure oversight—citizens are not blameless. Irresponsible waste disposal, lack of civic education, and complacency contribute significantly to the worsening crisis.
As one local engineer observed:
“We keep building roads without considering water flow. When the rains come, the roads wash away because they were never built to withstand this pressure.”
This comment reflects broader systemic issues: infrastructure projects focused on optics rather than long-term sustainability.
Collapsed roads during the floods hampered rescue operations, once again revealing the fragility of Nigeria’s transport network. Each rainy season brings renewed fear, as critical infrastructure continues to fail.
Time for Action
The tragedy in Makwa must serve as a catalyst for change. Governments at all levels must prioritise:
-Sustainable urban planning
-Investment in resilient infrastructure
-Strict enforcement of environmental regulations
Communities, in turn, must embrace environmental responsibility and demand accountability from leadership.
As climate change fuels more extreme weather events, Makwa’s story should not be just another news headline. It must become a turning point—a clarion call for urgent and collective reform. Without it, preventable disasters will remain a recurring reality.
The time to act is now!
Ahmad Shuaibu Isa