Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), says environmental fraud and lack of adherence to town planning procedures by both governments and property developers are responsible for flood in parts of the country.
Mr Nathaniel Atebije, President of the Institute, said this during a national press briefing on Saturday in Enugu.
The 8th national press conference was part of the activities for the Annual General Meeting of the Institute with the theme: “Of Flood and Fraud.”
He lamented the environmental maladies experienced in Nigeria and called for proper planning and attitudinal changes to put Nigeria on the path of good development and growth.
The president said that the recent flood which ravaged parts of Maiduguri in Borno State and other parts of the country could be attributed to environmental fraud.
He said: “The most devastating in Nigeria today is environmental fraud, the illegal manipulation or misrepresentation of environmental data, activities, either for financial gain or to avoid regulatory compliance.
“This includes falsifying environmental impact assessments, concealing pollution, engaging in illegal waste disposal, or misreporting emissions levels.”
According to him, the aim was often to bypass environmental laws and regulations, reduce costs, or avoid penalties, while causing harm to ecosystems and public health.
He added that these acts were perpetrated by individuals, corporations, and even government agencies that failed to adhere to environmental standards.
Atebije noted that lack of physical planning or poorly regulated urbanisation was the fundamental environmental fraud in Nigeria.
“In many Nigerian settlements, developers bypass and abuse environmental laws through corrupt practices, neglect of physical planning, unchecked urban sprawl.
“Impunity, carelessness and recklessness in the location of developments lead to poorly planned urban expansion,” he said.
He said that corruption and lax enforcement of zoning laws allow illegal structures to be built on floodplains and near riverbanks.
According to him, by obstructing natural waterways, these structures cause water to overflow into urban and rural settlements during heavy rains.
“Painfully, some of these developers might have gotten development permits through bribery or political connections, leading to violation of environmental laws that protect flood-prone areas.
He said there was the need to make credible efforts to avert flooding in Nigeria through multifaceted approach including engaging indigenous consultants, enforcement of plans through employment of planners.
“We reiterate that physical planning and development control are first among the requirements for averting flooding.
“Enforcement of building regulations, strict adherence to zoning and building codes should be enforced to prevent the construction of buildings on floodplains and areas prone to flooding,” he said.
The institute’s president said that proper planning and adherence to lay down procedures could reduce environmental disasters in the country.
“Our appeal to governments and developers is to plan before embarking on any construction,” he said.
