The rains have been very heavy this year and meteorology sector have constantly warned of the possibility of flood. i observed that nothing much was being done to help the situation apart from the media that kept reminding constantly .The few culverts that were cleaned became once more congested as the removed dirt was left by the roadsides and the rains always pushed it back in. The society does not help itself also. People use culverts as waste disposal centres once heavy clouds are sighted and therefore the smooth passage of water is seriously hindered. Another problem is the ways the government keep creating residential carve outs in lowland areas and the town planning council keeps giving building licences in such areas that were formally creeks and small streams.
During the third of august, 2011 the fear of a possible flood was communicated to the people of Zaria and its immediate environs. The local and state governments kept warning through the media that people living in lowlands should evacuate their homes. The pathetic part of this story is the fact that the government never assisted with transportation nor temporary camps or even a “ready to handle crises” response squad and they swore to be the custodians of the people. On Thursday evening heavy clouds gathered and the rains began, heavy, persistent and throughout the night. People spent the night with one eye open. The rain seized after dawn. I had to travel to Kano on that day and on my way I saw people clearing waterways everywhere. What came to mind was the nature of our people we only do things that we are always supposed to do only in the face of crises. Luckily the rain did not continue to fall on the already soaked land and the fear of flood all over Zaria was put to rest. I later learnt that there were casualties in two lowland areas of Zaria that were formerly streams but have now become residential areas.
Once more Allah has shined his mercy on us but not due to any effort from the people or their government.
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