OPINION: Dear Rotimi Amaechi: Yes, you built the roads – but where are the drainages?

The recent flooding at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt has sparked debates on potential solutions. One suggestion is to shift the conference to months outside the rainy season, such as November or January. However, this proposal is viewed as surrendering to the problem. The primary issue is not the timing or location, but rather the lack of adequate drainage infrastructure.

Nigeria's governments consistently fail to build roads with proper drainage, which leads to flooding during the rainy season. The problem is not confined to Port Harcourt or Rivers State, but rather a societal failure to prioritize infrastructure development. Rainfall is a predictable natural phenomenon, so constructing and maintaining drains, stormwater channels, and enforcing building regulations should be the focus of urban planning.

Nigeria's relatively mild weather conditions compared to other regions make it surprising that the country struggles with basic flood management. The lack of preparedness for ordinary rainfall highlights the severity of the governance issue. If Nigeria cannot handle simple rain, it raises concerns about its ability to cope with extreme weather events.

The article concludes by emphasizing that Nigeria's infrastructure must be built to handle the predictable rhythms of society and nature, rather than organizing around infrastructure failures.