Relocate now, FG warns Nigerians as Cameroon releases Lagdo Dam’s waters

The Lagdo Dam in Cameroon has discharged water into the Rivers Niger and Benue, according to a statement made yesterday by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, or NIHSA.

As a result, the agency issued a warning to Nigerians living in floodplains to evacuate right away to safe areas in preparation for the yearly floods that accompany the dam’s water release.

Lagdo Dam’s water discharge occurs a few days after overflowing Alau Dam’s water last weekend destroyed thousands of homes in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, and killed over thirty people.

NIHSA Director General, Umar Mohammed, who gave the warning when he featured on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief breakfast programme yesterday, said his agency met with the authorities in Cameroon and agreed that water from the dam be released “intermittently” for the River Benue and River Niger in Nigeria to be able to contain the volume of water to avoid flooding in 11 states at risk.

“The situation is that water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam is being released already since yesterday (Wednesday) and there is an agreement that the water should be released in phases,” said Mohammed, who was represented on the programme by the Agency’s Director of Operations and Hydrology, Femi Bejide.

Recall that on Tuesday, the federal government alerted Nigerians to the plan by the Cameroonian authorities to release water from the Lagdo Dam.

NIHSA listed flood-prone states to include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers.

The NIHSA boss said for now, there was calm and nomalcy, adding that the water was being regularised from the Lagdo dam, though with rising currents.

He said all Nigerians had a role to play to prevent flooding as previous release of water from the Lagdo Dam has caused constant flooding in Nigeria.

The NIHSA boss said: “Everybody has their part to play; as the federal government is doing its part, our agency is doing its part, NEMA is prepared, individuals should also have to do their part. They have to move from the flood plain.

“Houses also, their drainages, they have to clean and clear their drainages. Water will find its way, so the waterways should be cleared, the drainages should be cleared to allow water to move. That is the responsibility of everybody. Look at your house, if your house is at the flood plain, please move, it is an appeal.”

Mohammed said a report had been submitted to the Presidency on the way forward, noting that some of dams in Nigeria should be de-silted.