Amid fears that the Cameroonian government’s decision to discharge surplus water from the Lagdo dam could damage numerous states, Minister of State for Environment Ishaq Salako has claimed that flooding will be less severe this year than in 2022.
Every year, Cameroon discharges water from a dam, causing flooding downstream in Nigeria. On August 14, the dam was breached, releasing water at a rate of approximately 20 million cubic metres per day – approximately 200 metres per second.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had predicted in its 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) that 178 local government areas in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory fall within the “Highly Probable Flood Risks Areas.” The states are Adamawa, Abia, Akwa- Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross- River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara states.
Speaking on a live TV, yesterday, Salako said his ministry was aware of the intended opening of the dam.
“So, we expect that some flooding will occur as a result of the opening of that dam. And it is inevitable because if the dam overflows on its own, the disaster that it will cause will be worse. So, it’s better to have a managed release of the water in the dam to ensure that the damage is not as much.”
Salako added that the Bola Tinubu administration hopes to hasten the process of completing the alternative dam in Adamawa state, in order to hold water when the dam is opened in subsequent years.
“On the issue of long term prevention of flooding from the opening of that dam, for some time now, there has been an approach by the government of Nigeria to build another dam in Adamawa state so that it can hold some of the water when the Cameroon dam is opened.
“So, I think going forward, what will help us is if we are able to, of course, implement the dam that is planned to be built, I think the project is actually ongoing but it’s taking a while. But hopefully, under this administration, we can focus more on it but that’s really not under the purview of the ministry of environment.”
He said the ministry now has a more robust alarm system compared to 2022. He added that this would help predict when flooding will occur, in order to take measures to reduce damages, and ensure that no lives are lost.
NEMA allays fear
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised Nigerians not to entertain fear over the release of the excess water from Lagdo Dam from Cameroon.
Astatement by Mr. Manzo Ezekiel, head of the agency’s press unit, said the agency is working with critical stakeholders at the federal, states and local governments to ensure that the release does not cause negative impacts.
He said efforts were already on to prevent much havoc especially on the low-lying communities along the states likely to be affected.
Also allaying fear, Director General of NIHSA, Mr Clement Nze, pledged continuous monitoring of water levels in rivers across the country to prevent disasters and emergency situations that could occur from excessive rainfall.
“We maintain close watch on all of the rivers, and we are getting into the peak of the rainy season, there are many rivers within the Benue tributaries that could cause flooding whether Cameroon releases water into Nigeria or not.
“Most of those rivers are not dammed, apart from Katsina-Ala river where we have Kashimbilla dam, it contributes to 26 percent of River Benue, If the rainfall intensifies more and which we are monitoring, there could be flooding from that axis.’”
The director general said states should complement the Federal Government’s efforts by sensitising their populace on flood disaster prevention, saying FG cannot do it alone.
“States should follow the Federal Government to sensitise their people, they already know the flashpoints.
“The state emergency management agencies know the locations, when they need to relocate people, they should do so on time.
“Flood issues occur in the communities and the states are to take responsibility for it, they should take more action, to sensitise and relocate their people to safer grounds.
“They should augment the relief materials that NEMA is providing so as to give succor to the people, they should be on standby in all those flood flashpoints.”
• Edo issues warning alert
Edo State Government has called on residents in lowland and riverine areas in the state to be vigilant and relocate to higher plans as a result of likely flooding with the release of modulated amounts of water into River Niger from Lagdo Dam by Cameroonian authorities.
The communities include Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA), Anegbete in Etsako Central LGA and Illushi in Esan South East LGA as well as other riverine areas in Ikpoba Okha LGA, Ovia North-East LGA and Ovia South-West LGA.
In a statement, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare said: “Edo State Government has been informed that the authorities of LAGDO DAM of the Republic of Cameroon would be releasing modulated amounts of water into River Benue due to flooding caused by incessant torrential downpour.
“Residents in lowlands and riverine areas including those in Agenebode, Anegbete and Ilullshi of Etsako East, Etsako Central and Esan South East local government areas, respectively are hereby put on notice to be vigilant and relocate to a higher plain.
“Areas in Ikpoba Okha, Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West are also put on alert.
“The Edo State Government will provide support to those displaced from their homes by the rising water level occasioned by the overflow of the River Benue.
“Because we know this is going to happen, we had to move quickly to ensure that our Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps are in a good state and the residents adequately briefed and sensitised.”