The Nigerian Government says plans are underway for the immediate evacuation of Nigerians residing in flood-prone areas to safer destinations.
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA Mustapha Sa’id said this at the National Emergency Coordination Forum, EFC, organised by the Agency to address humanitarian challenges that may come up as a result of the 2023 anticipated flooding arising from the release of water from Lagdo Dam.
He said while there’s no immediate danger from the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroun, it’s important that proactive measures are put in place to prevent any eventuality.
According to the DG NEMA, “the meeting is timely, to prepare, mitigate and respond to humanitarian issues that the released water may cause along the River Benue Basin.”
“The country has commenced the first one of release of water from the Dam at the rate of 200 cubic meters per second which is about 18 million cubic meter of water per day. This release may result to all front-line states experiencing flooding in subsequent days and weeks, It is of great importance to also note that the Dam might commence full discharge of excess water from the Dam in the event that the region experiences a heavy amount of rainfall,” he said.
He said coordination was a vital component of disaster management which needed to be given adequate attention to ensure timely and efficient response.
Mr Ahmed noted with concern the menace caused by the release of water from the Dam in 2012 as well as that of 2022 which ravaged many States within the country emphasizing that it will not be easily forgotten.
“You will recall that the 2022 flood disaster claimed 665 lives, displaced 2,437,411 persons, and affected 4,476,867 persons. We have already started experiencing floods in some parts of the country this year with the rainfall. The release from the Lagdo Dam will only worsen the flood situation and therefore calls for a concerted effort to address and mitigate the impact,” he said.
He said that other efforts are nationwide sensitisation, especially in states and communities which may likely be affected by the impending flood, de-escalation of the Early Warning messages to States; TV and radio appearances; TV and radio jingles and issuing press releases, clearing of drainages, readiness to embark on rescue mission, among others.
“While everyone must remain calm, NEMA will continue to work with other government partners to provide succour including food and non-food items to affected people in the IDP camps and the host communities while building their resilience through livelihood supports, especially with the distribution of agricultural inputs and other livelihood items,” Ahmed emphasised
The States downstream of River Benue are Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa States.
The Director General, of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, Clement Nze said the Government has revisited the plan to build a Dam in Fire Local Government Area of Adamawa State in the east of the country as a measure to curb flooding from the release of water from the Lagdo Dam.
According to him, experts have reviewed the designs and made comments which have been forwarded to the consultant to be included for onward submission to the Nigerian Government.
For its part, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said; “it remains committed to supporting the Nigerian Government concerning flooding.”
The UN OCHA representative, Dalia Volvova also commended the Nigerian Government for its response to humanitarian crises, especially the 2022 flooding.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
