By: Adekunle Victoria
photo credit : Internet
A major conference such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference is expected to bring people together in an environment that is safe, accessible, and conducive to learning, networking, and meaningful interaction. However, the situation at the recent conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, raised serious concerns about flooding and environmental management.
The venue and surrounding areas were affected by flooding, making it difficult for lawyers, professionals, participants, and other attendees to move around freely. Some people had to be carried or assisted through the flooded areas simply to get to where they were going. For some, this came at an unexpected financial cost, as people reportedly paid around ₦5,000 or ₦10,000 to be carried across flooded areas.
Interestingly, the flooding also created an opportunity for some individuals to make money. Some people reportedly used the situation to sell slippers and other footwear to participants whose shoes had become wet or dirty. While this may have provided temporary economic opportunities, it also demonstrates how severely the flooding affected the movement and comfort of people attending the conference.
The bigger question is: How did the environment get to this point?
Flooding does not always happen because of rainfall alone. Poor environmental management can make the situation worse. Blocked drainage systems, gutters that are not properly maintained, poor waste disposal, inadequate drainage capacity, and poor construction or planning can all contribute to flooding.
Both the government and residents have responsibilities. Residents should avoid dumping refuse into gutters and drainage channels, while relevant authorities must ensure that drainage systems are properly designed, constructed, cleared, and maintained. There should also be proper enforcement of environmental regulations.
But beyond individual responsibility, the government must take stronger action. Drainage infrastructure should be properly planned and maintained, especially in areas where large numbers of people regularly gather. Flood-prone locations should be identified and assessed before major public events are approved.
This raises an important question: Should a place that is known to experience serious flooding be used to host a major conference without adequate preparation?
The answer should be no, not without taking proper preventive measures.
Before major conferences, governments, event organizers, and venue managers should inspect the surrounding environment and make adequate arrangements for drainage, accessibility, sanitation, emergency movement, and the safety of participants.
People should not have to pay ₦5,000 or ₦10,000 simply to cross a flooded road to attend a conference. Neither should professionals have to struggle through dirty floodwater or risk damaging their clothes and shoes simply because they came to participate in an important event.
Flooding is not merely an inconvenience. It can affect businesses, transportation, public health, livelihoods, and the dignity of citizens.
A conference is supposed to create opportunities, not turn movement around the venue into another challenge.
The government must therefore treat flooding as a serious infrastructure and environmental issue rather than something people should simply endure whenever it rains.
