Floods: Cameroon to open Lagdo Dam – Ministry alerts NEMA

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (East and Central African Division) has alerted the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) that Cameroonian officials have resolved to open the flood gates of Lagdo Dam on the Benue River due to heavy rainfall around the Dam

This was communicated in a letter signed by Umar Salisu, the Ministry’s Director of African Affairs for the Permanent Secretary dated August 21, 2023

The Director said the Ministry received a note verbale from the Cameroon High Commission on plans to “Open the flood gates of the Lagdo Dam on the Benue River in days ahead.”

He added that; “According to the note, it is pertinent to note that when the release of water becomes necessary, the authorities of the Lagdo Dam will be releasing only modulated variable small amount of water at a time in order to mitigate’ and avoid damages that the released water may cause along the River Benue basin in both Cameroon and in Nigeria.

“In view of the above, it would be appreciated if the esteemed Agency takes all the necessary proactive steps and actions that will mitigate the damage as well as sensitize the populace living in such areas for vigilance and all necessary precautions.”

The Lagdo Reservoir is located in the northern province of Cameroon on the Benue River in the Niger basin

Located 50 km south of the city of Garoua on the Benue River, the Lagdo Dam was built between August 1977 and July 1982

In 2012, water released from the dam flooded areas including Adamawa State in Nigeria.

A bigger effect of the flooding was at the lower Benue River region where more than 10,000 homes were submerged for more than two weeks.

PIAK