Laraba MUREY
The Federal Government has said the opening of Lagdo Dam floodgates by Cameroonian authorities has put Nigerian communities on red alert over threat of flooding.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, who stated while briefing newsmen, restated the preparedness of state governments, and also emphasized the need for urgent response.
Edu disclosed that it was in response to the potential catastrophe of flooding that a Presidential Committee was set up.
Vice President Kasim Shettima was appointed to lead the coordination and implementation of policies to mitigate the flood impact.
Edu called upon the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, to spearhead evacuation efforts, ensuring the well-being of citizens residing in at-risk communities.
“We are gathered on the instance of the President, following a presentation which I made at the FEC today on the opening of the Cameroon Lagdo Dam, which has already been opened as we speak and it is expected that within the next seven days, we will begin to see the effect of that dam opening on Nigeria,” she said.
“Flood is gradually becoming a yearly or seasonal occurrence in Nigeria which has led to loss of lives and properties in large numbers.
“Flood is gradually becoming a yearly or seasonal occurrence in Nigeria which has led to loss of lives and properties in large numbers.
“We as a government are always interested in preventing, mitigating and proffering solutions including recovery plans for flood and its consequences.
“Presently, we have a direct task by Mr. President to ensure proper preparedness for the consequences of the dam which has been opened in Cameroon and that is why this coordination meeting is being held to help Nigeria adequately respond to it.
“A couple of states have been implicated and there have been ongoing engagements by NEMA with the state government but this will be carried out at a higher level between the ministers, probably the Vice President and the state governments; members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to ensure that they are part of the preparations,” she said.
Edu urged states and communities to ensure that drainages are cleared and whatever construction done on the drainages are quickly removed.
“State governments must stand up to their responsibilities and task of involuntary evacuation of persons that will be affected by the flood. It is thinkable to lose properties but it is unthinkable and unacceptable to lose lives and that is what we want to avoid.
“Other measures would be put in place by the governments at all levels to ensure that we can prevent, mitigate and recover from whatever the consequences of this dam opening.
“We are going to work with governments to provide temporary shelters for those that will be affected. We will offer support in terms of health, livelihood for recovery for those people that are moving,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has activated flood warning alerts across the nation, monitoring water levels of River Benue and River Niger.
On his part, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, has highlighted the role of citizens in such crisis.
Utsev stressed the importance of clearing drainages while assuring long-term solutions such as dam construction and river dredging to combat annual flooding.
According to him, this real-time information empowers citizens with crucial data to make informed decisions.
“Moreover, the collaboration with Cameroon authorities signifies a united front in tackling the potential aftermath of the Lagdo Dam floodgate release,” he said.