Aremu said in Abuja that taking such steps would assist the country’s efforts to tackle the reoccurring flood in a speedy and coordinated manner.

The ecologist, who is the Director-General, Advocacy for Environmental and Sanitation Integrity, an NGO, spoke in view of the recent flood which destroyed properties and rendered thousands homeless in Benue and Katsina States.

“Nigeria should emulate countries like the U.S, Britain, Australia, Canada, India, Pakistan, China, Bangladesh and the Philippines which have been able to effectively manage flood disasters at all levels.

“Nigeria should emulate these countries by clearing the drains before the onset of rains to ameliorate the impact, rather than inviting disaster and waiting till the last minute or not doing anything at all.

“Where solid waste is indiscriminately dumped in poorly constructed and ill-maintained open drainage channels, a disaster looms in the event of a torrential downpour.’’

The director-general, who urged the people to desist from cutting down trees for timber and firewood, said that indiscriminate tree felling had induced heavy floods, thereby resulting in loss of lives and properties.

He said uncontrolled tree felling also created a distorted ecosystem, which could lead to the gradual destruction of the earth.