Some few years ago, scientists disclosed to the world what is known as global warming. And according to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, global warming is defined as the increase in temperature of the earth’s atmosphere that is caused by the increase of particular gases, especially carbon dioxide. This is also known as the green house effect which is defined as the problem of gradual rise in temperature of the earth’s atmosphere, caused by an increase of gases such as carbon dioxide in the air surrounding the earth, which trap the heat of the sun. The destruction of forests is contributing to the green house effect.
Thus, the fact is that water level will rise from the ocean to overflow some coastal towns and villages. Because of the rise in temperature, ecological problems that would threaten the existence of the ecosystem will occur when man is unaware. It was revealed by scientists that fifty years to come, some coastal towns will submerge. Some countries in the world have started taking precautionary measures to avoid the disaster of global warming.
It is obvious that something dangerous would happen to our ecosystem if something urgent is not done immediately. The scientists had done their research to inform the world of the imminent disaster awaiting the coastal towns, It is no longer news about the effect of global warming in the Niger Delta, the scientists global warming. Something must be done to prevent the disaster in Nigeria. especially in the Niger Delta States.
It is time for the various governments in Nigeria to rise up to the occasion or forestalling global warming effect in the riverine communities. In Rivers Stale, places like Oronija, Opobo, Oyorokoto, Queenstown, Buguma, Bille, Kula, Bonny, Samanga, Kalio-Ama and many others are already facing the effect of global warming gradually.
Recently, in Oronija in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, water from the river moved up to fifty metres into the community. To be précise, the high tide in the month of November, 22nd to 25th caused an untold and unpredicted hardship to the inhabitants of Oronija. The global warming is a global issue which should not be taken for granted.
Indeed, the water in the ocean will surge and submerge the coastal communities close to the ocean. The global warming has started to show signs in some parts of the state. The activities of man are responsible for the global warming. The rate at which water-roof like materials flood the rivers, creeks, oceans, call for a stop or control. The rivers are not even safe for fishes to breed because of the presence of water-roof like materials.
There is need for the environment to be conducive and it must start now. Government should enact laws guiding the people the way to dispose water-roof materials. And again, if there is an existing law, it has to be enforced and implemented without delay. This action is beyond task force under mile one flyover alone. There must be public awareness through mass media. Because everybody would suffer global warming whether in the villages or towns, it behooves everybody to do something about the use of water-roof like materials, which occupy space in the water. There is need for change of orientation in Nigeria about the use of water-roof. Government should do something to recycle water-roof. It is a duty for all to adopt in order to avoid global warming.
Niger Delta is surrounded by Atlantic Ocean. Which means global warming is sure to occur in Nigeria, particularly the delta area. It is necessary for government to sand fill the coastal towns to avoid the disaster. Let government construct embankment to protect the shores of the coastal communities. The ecological fund should be made viable for the coastal towns to escape the rising of water from the ocean. Government should also dredge the rivers. This will help the mass volume of water to remain in the rivers. If the ecosystem is destroyed, it will adversely affect the economic activities of Nigeria and the states involved. Global warming is a problem of all and not of a particular people or an individual. Government as a matter of urgent issue should embark on an aggressive construction of embankment and sand filling of the coastal communities to avoid the disaster of global warming. Recently flood hit Oyo State and Sokoto and caused loss of lives and properties. If flood can affect communities on a very high land in Nigeria, what about those living at the bank of the ocean? There was Isunami few years ago that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in Asia. There is need for government to do something urgent to avoid such experience. Let something be done to avert problem of global warming in Nigeria.
Frank Eneawaji Ogwuonuonu
08028901682
