Over the weekend, hurricane sandy was all over the news. What to expect before, during and after it makes landfall, what to do, how to prepare, measures that are being taken to reduce the impact etc. Everything was so frightening; More frightening was the fact that it was going to hit the most populated part of the US. It was comforting to know that states on the path of this superstorm were actually preparing/prepared for the storm. This got me thinking about my country Nigeria and the way we handle disasters. We are rarely prepared for anything. I bet those places hit by the recent floods didnt even know they were going to have rains of that magnitude. Yet, all we know how to do is to form committees and create avenues for people to "chop" money to the detriment of the citizens.
Hurricane Sandy has made landfall and left a lot destruction in its wake. A lot of money will be lost. Many people will have to start over. My heart just goes out to them and I can just imagine what they are going through. Apart from the strong winds and light rain, things were quite sane here, so the little ones found it difficult to understand why they couldn't go to school, even though it was a school day.
I read an article on Punch news online about Lagos state raising alarm over the ripple effect of the hurricane on the coastal areas of the state. The commissioner for waterfront development and infrastructure, Mr. Oniru, made his statements based on past experience, records and study of past happenings. Everything he said was based on assumption as he wasn't even sure and the only advise he had for people was that they should be vigilant.Is it that we don't have meteorologist who can give something more concrete? This is Nigeria I am talking about.
