Lagdo Dam:: FG urges Frontline states to begin evacuation of Nigerians, tells Governors what to do
Lagdo Dam:: FG urges Frontline states to begin evacuation of Nigerians, tells Governors what to do
The Federal Government has advised state governments in frontline areas to take necessary measures towards mitigating the potential impact Lagdo Dam floodgate.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr Betta Edu, gave the advice while issuing flood warning alert during meeting of Presidential Committee on coordination and implementation in Abuja.
Edu said, the call became necessary following an alert by the Cameroonian authorities to release the water from the country’s Lagdo Dam.
The minister who spoke at the instance of the Minister of Water Resources and that of Environment expressed the need for effective implementation of policies and rescue missions aimed at mitigating against the impacts of the flooding.
Edu while acknowledging the State Government’s zeal in tackling emergencies, urged them to ensure immediate evacuation of Nigerians living in flood front areas to safer destinations.
”State Governments have done quite a number of preparedness, we also appeal to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on the need to step up actions by ensuring immediate evacuation of Nigerians from various communities to safer destinations.
”Lagdo Dam floodgate has been opened by the Cameroonian authorities and that all the frontline States may experience flooding within the next seven days” she said.
She also pledged the readiness of the Ministry to work with Subnational and Local Governments towards providing shelters for the affected Citizens.
”Because, some of the people living in most of the communities who may be affected are afraid of losing their ancestral homes, despite the warning” she said.
She therefore assured Nigerians on the resolve of President Tinubu-led administration to put necessary measures in place to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians.
due to heavy rainfall around the dam catchment area in Northern part of the country.
A letter dated Aug. 21, 2023, and signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs ministry by Umar Salisu, Director, African Affairs, addressed to the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NENA).
NAN reports that the letter noted that “ it is pertinent to note that when the release of water becomes necessary, the authorities of lagdo dam will be releasing on modulated variable mall amount of water at a time, in order to mitigate and avoid damages that the released water may cause along the River Benue basin both Cameroon and in Nigeria.(NAN).(www.nannews.ng)
AMU/SH
