The Long Bridge flood: The birds, the fish also cry

By Temiloluwa Bamgbose

After a six-hour rain one strange October night, the people of Akute, Warewa, Magboro, Banku, Arepo and commuters frequenting the Long Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway woke up to a flood. Many who have lived in the area for more than two years thought it was a familiar evil. They only had to reconstruct footbridges they had used during previous occurrences and they would be fine. They were surprised! The flood this year surpassed those they had experienced before. Suddenly, the water rose beyond expectations and forced many out of their homes, leaving valuables behind at the mercy of rising waters.

The rain had been joined by excess water released from the Oyan Dam managed by the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority, to wreak havoc. The dam was commissioned in March 29, 1983 by the late former President Shehu Shagari, to support irrigation projects and generate 9 megawatts of electric power. It is currently generating 0MW.

It is a tale of tragic loss and great inconvenience for people living in the environment. Yet, it is great news for other folks. The area has witnessed an influx of birds and for bird lovers – a beautiful distraction. One does not need field glasses or binoculars to savour the beauty of the scenery. White-plumaged congregations of cattle egrets are common sights around the axis even before the flood. As their name implies, they are gracious chaperones to the ever-present cattle along the axis. These birds have been joined by their black plumaged-cousins, the herons, and fellow water-loving comrade, the Jacanas. Apart from the influx of birds, fishermen have also been spotted on the water casting nets while others have been seen swimming, bathing and washing bikes in the waters.

Observers conclude that sudden appearance of fish in flood waters could only mean loss of livelihood for fish farmers in the flood’s path, especially those using earthen ponds. Some of the fishermen confirmed that catfish, the most farmed fish species in Nigeria, is the only species of fish available to be caught on the accidental river.

If there is a surge of new species, it is only logical to be curious about the former occupants of the habitat.

“In situations like this, city birds who are natural inhabitants of these habitats are displaced,” says Emmanuel Olabode, a conservation and wildlife expert.

“If, unfortunately, it coincides with their breeding season, and they don’t find a suitable alternative like their natural homes, their population would be affected.”

For reptiles like snakes and lizards, it may be easier. Those species have early warning systems, Emmanuel explains. “In times like these, animals whose hearts are at very close proximity to the ground are able to sense impending catastrophe, so they try to escape from the area.”

He cites the December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami as an example. Over 200,000 people were killed by the natural disaster, yet only very few animal casualties were recorded. “This is due to the natural early warning system in the animals,” the conservation and wildlife expert said.

The flooding of Akute, Warewa, Magboro, Arepo and areas around Lagos-Ibadan expressway Long Bridge can hardly be described as a natural disaster. It also may be difficult to say if the early warning systems of these animals covers sudden dam openings after several hours of rain.

Escaping the flood does not mean survival. Fleeing reptiles and displaced animals may eventually end up in the compound of an unwilling host who will eventually deal them a fatal blow either physically or with chemicals on the name of fumigation. When the water dries off who knows how many decaying carcasses it will turn up. Would it lead to an environmental emergency? Would there be an outbreak of disease as a result? Would some spices be lost forever in that axis? One can only wait and see.

In the end, the loss is not only for folks whose properties and houses were damaged by the flood. The environment which supports life itself is taking the hit. And so it touches everyone. Can something be done to prevent future man-made ecological trauma like this?