The move became necessary due to the impact of the 2022 flood in the area, which displaced thousands of residents. The construction of buildings to accommodate the affected villagers will begin in two weeks if a piece of land is identified by the traditional ruler and the Bassa local government authorities. HYPPADEC is concerned about the prediction of heavier rainfalls in 2023, leading to more floods than in 2022.
The traditional ruler of the Mosun Kingdom, Burka Ali, revealed that no fewer than 10,000 people were displaced by the 2022 flood, with land space of over 300m washed away.
Ali stated that the community has already selected a piece of land to show HYPPADEC for resettlement. The residents are ready to cooperate with the commission to ensure a successful resettlement programme.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) recently warned Nigerians to prepare for an earlier-than-expected onset of rainfall in most parts of Nigeria. Heavy rainfall is expected to start on or around March 2 in the coastal areas of the South-South comprising Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom.
NiMET also predicted an extended rainfall season in several states, with peak rainfall between July and September. The coastal zone of the South-South states of Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom will experience unpleasant rainfall changes, while central states will likely wait until May.
The northern states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno will have an onset of rain between June and July, with Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos expected to be near normal but with a worrisome quantity.
NiMET's predictions emphasize the need for proactive measures by relevant authorities to mitigate the impact of floods on affected communities. The federal government's relocation plan for the Mosun community is an example of such measures, as it seeks to safeguard the lives and property of citizens during the rainy season.