- We have taken proactive steps — NEMA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs,East and Central African Division, Abuja, has notified the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), other relevant agencies, and Nigerians on the Cameroon’s intention to release water into river Benue .
The states that will be affected,are :Adamawa; Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa .
According to the Ministry,Cameroonian officials have resolved to open the flood gates of the Lagdo Dam on the Benue River in days ahead due to the heavy rainfall around the Dam catchment area in Northern Cameroon.
In a statement by the Ministry ,signed by Director African Affairs, Amb. Umar Z. Salisu, for the Permanent Secretary, he stated that, the Ministry was in receipt of a note Verbale from the High Commission of the Republic of Cameroon informing that Cameroonian officials have resolved to open the flood gates of the Lagdo Dam on the Benue River in days ahead due to the heavy rainfall around the Dam catchment area in Northern Cameroon.
“It is the pertinent to note that when the release of water becomes necessary, the authorities of the Lagbo Dam will be releasing only modulated variable small amount of water at a time in order to mitigate and avoid damages that the released water may cause along the River Benue basin in both Cameroon and in Nigeria
“In view of the above, it would be appreciated if the Esteem Agency takes all the necessary proactive steps and actions that will mitigate the damage as well as sensitize the populace living in such areas for vigilance and all necessary precautions”.
Meanwhile,theNEMA has allayed fears of Nigerians over the planned released of the excess water.
The Agency said it was working with critical stakeholders at the Federal, States and local governments to ensure that the release would not cause much negative impacts on the low-lying communities along the states that would be affected.
According to a NEMA Staff in Abuja, Manzo Ezekiel,” the states on the downstream of River Benue are :Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa States.
“The Agency envisaged this release of excess water from the Lagdo dam, taken note of the likely impacts and considered in the preparations for mitigation and response to the 2023 flood alert”.
