NEMA Raises Alarm Over Imminent Flooding

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, yesterday, raised an alarm over the danger of heavy flooding in states and communities along the River Benue following information from Cameroon that it plans to release excess water from the Ladgo dam.

A statement signed by a senior information officer of the agency, Mr Sani Datti, quoted the Director General, Muhammad Sani Sidi, as saying that “the Cameroonian authorities in Garoua have indicated that between now and November 2015 there would be routine release of water from the Lagdo dam due to excessive amount of water presently contained in the dam”.

Sani Sidi, therefore, warned “all those living around the dam and along River Benue in Garoua up to Nigeria side to be alert and be ready for evacuation in case of possible flooding.” To this effect, governors of the affected states, state emergency management agencies, first respondents and relevant authorities have been enjoined not only to alert communities at risk, but also make adequate preparation for possible evacuation of such endangered communities.

Seasonal release of water from the Lagdo Dam in the past led to the death of several Nigerians and the destruction of properties by the resultant heavy flooding of some communities. A case in point occurred in 2012 when flood arising from the release of water from the dam wreaked havoc in the Nigerian states of Kano, Kogi, Adamawa, Taraba and Benue. Several lives were lost and many communities sacked by the devastating flood.

The development had prompted Nigeria to send a high-powered delegation to Yaounde in 2013 to confer with the Cameroonian authorities and to demand a commitment from them on how to arrest the worrisome situation, especially as the downstream areas of the dam in Nigeria had been experiencing periodic flooding. Then Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, who led the delegation, said that 49 Nigerians had lost their lives as she painted a graphic, but disturbing statistics and profile of the devastation which periodic flooding arising from the release of water from the dam had caused Nigeria.

According to her, “As at December 14, 2012, the total number of Internally Displaced Persons in Adamawa State was 949 while 45, 253 structures were destroyed. The devastating flood in Taraba State, which affected about 37 communities claimed 27 lives and displaced 34, 393 persons amongst others. Three persons were reported dead and more than 25,000 were displaced, property worth billions of naira in Makurdi, and seven local government areas in Benue State were lost.

“Persistent torrential rainfall and compelling release of water from Lagdo, Kainji and Jebba dams led to massive flooding of 335 communities in nine LGAs of Kogi State including Ajaokuta, Bassa, Lokoja, Kogi, Omala, Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela and Ofu. The flood affected 72,725 people in the state, 19 lost their lives, 30, 709 were displaced and disruption of businesses and livelihoods brought down infrastructure and public institutions.”

The meeting between the Nigerian delegation and the Cameroonian authorities eventually led to the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two nations. A key point of this was that the two countries have agreed to share information on rainfall and how to manage excess water without leading to flood disasters.

The agreement also entailed that before releasing water from the dam, Cameroun was to give early warning to enable Nigeria put in place proactive measure to prevent destruction of lives and properties.

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